Austin Peay State University Department of Chemistry

Chem 1041

Synthesis of Biodiesel

Cautions

NaOH is corrosive and toxic. Methanol is toxic.

Purpose

To synthesize biodiesel.

Introduction

Biodiesel, a methyl ester, is an alternative to diesel that is made from a triglyceride (like vegetable oil) and either ethanol
or methanol. The oil used in the process can come from many sources including soybeans, corn, canola, and used frying
oil. Because it comes from renewable resource, it is referred to as a biofuel. The process involves taking the oil, a
triglyceride, combining it with an alcohol, to form biodiesel, which is either an ethyl ester or a methyl ester. The process
uses a base, either potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide, as a catalyst to help in the process and forms glycerol as a
byproduct. The reaction is shown below:

O
H2C

C
O

HC

C
O

H2C

Triglyceride

H2C

OH

HC

OH

Catalyst
3 H3C

OH

H2C

O
3
H3C

OH
Methyl Ester

Glycerol

Methanol

The process involves combining the methanol with the catalyst, in this case sodium hydroxide. This forms sodium
methoxide, very strong base which is then combined with the vegetable oil. After the reaction is complete, the oil and
glycerol form two separate phases with the glycerol being on the bottom and the biodiesel on the top. The glycerol is then
removed and the biodiesel layer is then rinsed with water to remove any remaining catalyst. In todays lab, we will be
making biodiesel on a small batch scale. The usual biodiesel process is a continuous process that involves large tanks
and pumps. This lab will give you an idea of what happens inside the vessels and pipes as biodiesel is being made.

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Reference Data

Density (g/mL)

Molar Mass (g/mol)

Methanol

0.7918

32.04

Vegetable Oil

0.915

872

Glycerol

1.26

92.9

Biodiesel

0.88

292.2

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Austin Peay State University Department of Chemistry

Chem 1041

Synthesis of Biodiesel
Procedure
1. Take a 50 mL Erlenmeyer flask with a stir bar and add 14 ml of pure methanol.
2. Place the flask on a stir plate and set speed at a rate where it doesnt splash but stirs vigorously.
3. Slowly add 0.50 g of NaOH. Do not go over this mass of the NaOH; add carefully.
4. Observe the NaOH being completely dissolved. Once this happens, sodium methoxide is formed, a very strong
and dangerous base.
5. While the sodium methoxide is being formed, place 60 ml of pure vegetable oil in a 200 ml beaker on a hot plate
and warm to 50C. Then place it on a stir plate with a stir bar under medium agitation.
6. After step 4 is complete, SLOWLY the sodium methoxide add it to the warm vegetable oil. Make sure no residual
NaOH gets into the oil. The solution will be cloudy.
7. Stir the reaction mixture for 20 minutes
8. Transfer the solution to a 125 ml separatory funnel. Allow the solution to settle for 20 minutes using a ring stand;
the glycerol layer will form on the bottom. If you do not see two layers, start over being sure to add no more than
0.50 g NaOH.
9. Once glycerol has stopped forming, drain the glycerol into a small graduated cylinder using the stopcock. Record
the volume of glycerol.
10. Drain the biodiesel layer from the separatory funnel and measure the volume.

Waste Disposal
Pour all aqueous solutions down the sink with an excess of water. Dispose of the biodiesel as directed.
Clean-Up
Wash all glassware with soap then rinse 3 times with tap water, and once with deionized water.

Calculations: Show all work for calculations.

1. Use density to calculate mass from measured volumes.
2. Use molar mass to convert grams to moles.
3. Calculate the theoretical yield of glycerol and biodiesel using the stoichiometry from the balanced equation,
shown on page 1.
4. Compare the percent conversion of biodiesel. See post-lab question #1.

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Austin Peay State University Department of Chemistry

Chem 1041

Synthesis of Biodiesel
Calculations:

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Austin Peay State University Department of Chemistry

Chem 1041

Synthesis of Biodiesel
Data Sheet

Name: _______________________________

Lab Partner(s): ______________________________

Mass Balance
Reactants

Reaction Data

Methanol

NaOH

Vegetable Oil

Volume
Mass
Moles
Products

Theoretical Yield

Glycerol

NaOH

Biodiesel

Glycerol

NaOH

Biodiesel

Moles
Mass

Actual Yield
Volume
Mass
Moles

Percent Conversion

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Austin Peay State University Department of Chemistry

Chem 1041

Synthesis of Biodiesel
Post-lab Assignment
Name: ______________________________

1. Percent conversion is calculated by dividing the actual yield by the theoretical yield and multiplying the result by
100. Calculate the percent conversion of biodiesel.

2. Do an overall mass balance of the reaction, total mass of products total mass of reactants. What do you think
would account for the difference?

3. Can you think of some ways to improve procedure to produce the biodiesel? Give 2 examples.

4. A normal biodiesel plant produces about 15,000,000 gallons per year. How much vegetable oil and methanol is
needed to produce this much biodiesel?

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Austin Peay State University Department of Chemistry

Chem 1041

Synthesis of Biodiesel
Pre-lab Assignment
Name: _________________________________

1. Write the balanced equation for the process of making the intermediate sodium methoxide.

2. Write the balanced equation for the second step of the process, the reaction of the sodium methoxide with a
triglyceride.

3. Why is sodium hydroxide considered a catalyst in this process?

4. What is biodiesel used for?

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