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Synfacts 2006(2): 0123-0123  
DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-921767
Synthesis of Materials and Unnatural Products
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Biodiesel Made with a Sulfonated Solid Catalyst

Contributor(s): Uozumi Yasuhiro, Yoichi M. A. Yamada
M. Toda, A. Takagaki, M. Okamira, J. N. Kondo, S. Hayashi, K. Domen, M. Hara*
Tokyo Institute of Technology, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology and University of Tokyo, Japan
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Publication History

Publication Date:
23 January 2006 (online)

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Significance

A novel solid sulfonated carbon catalyst was prepared from d-glucose or sucrose powder. Thus, d-glucose or sucrose underwent incomplete carbonization during which polycyclic small-sized aromatic rings were formed via pyrolysis. Sulfonate groups were introduced to the aromatic rings by concentrated or fuming sulfuric acid to afford an insoluble black powder catalyst which consisted of sheets of amorphous carbon bearing hydroxyl and carboxyl groups. High-grade biodiesel was produced by esterification of oleic acid and stearic acid with ethanol in the presence of the solid catalyst. This catalyst was reusable without loss of its catalytic activity or leaching of sulfonate groups.