Clean and Green Procedure for the Synthesis of Biodiesel from the Esterification of Free Fatty Acids and Alcohol Catalyzed by 6-O-(sulfobutyl)-β-cyclodextrin

The catalyst of 6- O -(sulfobutyl)-β-cyclodextrin (SB-CD) is renewable, non-toxic, environmentally benign and biocompatible, which could be used as efficient and recyclable catalyst for the synthesis of biodiesel from free long-chain fatty acids with low-chain alcohols as substrates. The reaction was accomplished at 60°C for 1.5 h, while the products were separated from the catalyst system by liquid/liquid at room temperature with good conversion of 91–98%. The catalyst can be reused for 10 times. The novel and clean procedure offers advantages including short reaction time, good conversion, operational simplicity, and environmentally benign characteristics.