Sodium Tetraborate as a Triglyceride Transesterification Catalyst

The possibility of using Na 2 В 4 O 7 and Na 2 В 4 O 7 ∙10H 2 O as catalysts for transesterification of triacyl glycerides (with sunflower oil as example) with methanol to obtain biodiesel fuel was examined. At the molar ratio of sunflower oil to methanol of 1 : 12, temperature of 65°С, reaction time of 2 h, and catalyst concentration of up to 5 wt %, the maximal yield of the methyl esters of the fatty acids was 65 and 95% with Na 2 В 4 O 7 ∙10H 2 O and Na 2 В 4 O 7 , respectively. Na 2 В 4 O 7 can be used as a triglyceride transesterification catalyst no less than three times without appreciable change in the yield of fatty acid methyl esters. Na 2 В 4 O 7 can be recommended as a catalyst for transesterification involving other esters and alcohols.