esters

• biodiesel 


  A fuel, similar to diesel, which is made from vegetable sources. e.g. from the reaction of rape seed oil with methanol.
• transesterfication


  A reaction where the alkyl group of an ester is exchanged with the alkyl group of an alcohol.
• monoester 


  An ester which contains only one ester group.
• hardening of fats and oils

  finely divided nickel catalyst 150degrees

  catalytic hydrogenation
• saponification

  heat under reflux

  fat/oil + KOH/NaOH -> glycerol + RCOOK/Na
• disadvantage of biodiesel

  high mtp, can freeze in winter
• advantage of ethyl esters over methyl esters

  less viscous , more suitable as a fuel at low temp
• what can be made through transesterification

  biodiesel (NaOH catalyst) and margarine (CH3ONa/sodium methoxide)

  120degrees