Question

QUESTION 2 To facilitate the transesterification process to form biodiesel, we utilize sodium methoxide. Why don't we just use a solution of sodium hydroxide? O NaOH is too basic, resulting in a series of elimination reactions with alkenes as the products. The methoxide becomes the new ester. The hydroxide with generate a carboxylic acid derivative that would react and form soap. NaOH wil cause the transesterification process to go completely in reverse and thus stop the formation of biodiesel Sodium hydroxide evaporates from vegetable oil.

Answer 1

To facilitate the transesterification process to form biodiesel, we utilize sodium methoxide, not just a solution of sodium hydroxide because- The methoxide becomes the new ester. The hydroxide will generate carboxylic acid derivative that would react & form soap. In the transesterification process, sodium methoxide is prepared by deprotonation of methanol using a base NaOH CH_3OH + NaOH rightarrow CH_3O - Na + H_2O CH_ONa (sodium methoxide) is the catalyst.