Biodiesel Production and Paper Chromatography in Organic Chemistry Teaching

Abstract

Biodiesel is important renewable energy that stands out mainly due to the possible reduction of oil reserves and environmental impacts intensified by the use of fossil fuels. This biofuel is produced from various oily materials, catalysts, and alcohols. Generates glycerin as a byproduct, which is used in different kinds of industries. Given the importance of the fuel and the need to integrate the theoretical content with the practical application of knowledge, this article aims to describe an experiment that can be used for teaching content such as chromatography and transesterification reaction in graduation courses. For biodiesel production were used: soybean oil, methanol, and potassium hydroxide, and analysis on paper chromatography were employed: filter paper and the solvents hexane, ethyl ether, and acetic acid as eluants. The viscosity and specific gravity of soybean oil and biodiesel were measured. With experiments, the academics observed that the transesterification reaction changes the physical-chemical properties of oil when it is converted into biodiesel and understand basic principles governing the chromatographic techniques and organic reactions.