Catalysis of the Transesterification Reaction of Alkyl Benzoates and Vegetable Oils by Carbonates, Carbene, and Anionite

The catalytic effect of alkali metal carbonates, in situ generated carbene, and anionite in the transesterification reaction of alkyl benzoates with methanol, ethanol, benzyl alcohol, and cyclohexanol, as well as vegetable oils with methanol and ethanol was studied. Catalytic reactions with methanol occur at room temperature with yields close to quantitative. The reactions of the vegetable oils in the presence of potassium carbonate with small amounts of methanol or ethanol (3.2 eq) at room temperature lead to high yields of biodiesel fuel and are suitable for industrial use.