Novel H₃PW₁₂O₄₀: Catalysed Esterification Reactions of Fatty Acids at Room Temperature for Biodiesel Production

The catalytic activity of Brønsted acids on fatty acid (FA) esterification at room temperature has been investigated. Noticeably, the H₃PW₁₂O₄₀ heteropolyacid (HPW) showed a very high activity than other catalysts herein evaluated, i.e. p-toluene sulfonic acid and sulfuric acid. High yields in ethyl esters (ca. 90%) were reached after a 4 h reaction at 25 °C on a HPW catalysed reactions. Despite the fact that HPW catalyst was used in a homogeneous phase, it could be efficiently recovered and reused through out a simple recycling protocol, without any activity loss. The effects of alcohol and the FA nature on yield reaction were also investigated. Graphical Abstract Noticeably, the H₃PW₁₂O₄₀ heteropolyacid (HPW) showed a very high activity than other catalysts herein evaluated, i.e. p-toluene sulfonic acid and sulfuric acid. High yields in ethyl esters (ca. 90%) were reached after a 4 h reaction at 25 °C on a HPW catalysed reactions. [graphic removed]