Synthesis of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hydroxide ([Bmim][OH]) and use as a catalyst in the transesterification reaction of oilseeds

• Grant number: 22/11043-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: December 01, 2022
• End date: November 30, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Chemical Engineering - Chemical Technology
• Principal Investigator: Daniela Helena Pelegrine Guimarães
• Grantee: Vinícius Chibante Geronimo
• Host Institution: Escola de Engenharia de Lorena (EEL). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Lorena , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The production of renewable fuels has been very popular in recent years. One of the alternatives in the production of vegetable oils with the ability to replace totally or partially diesel oil derived from petroleum. On the other hand, ionic liquids have been the object of considerable interest in the context of green synthesis due to their wide acceptability as an alternative green reaction medium. The objective of the proposed project is to synthesize the ionic liquid (IL) 1-butyl-3-methylimidazoluim hydroxide ([Bmim][OH]) and, later, use it as catalyst in the transesterification reaction of oilseeds. The IL will be characterized with respect to kinematic viscosity, refractive index and its molecular structure through proton nuclear resonance (PRN). Then, the transesterification reaction will be carried out, from mixtures of virgin castor oil (VCO) with residual oils and fats (ROF), in which the IL will act as a catalyst, where the effect of oil/methanol molar ratio will be evaluated (1:20 and 1:40) in the percentage of conversion to biodiesel. The biodiesel obtained will be analyzed in terms of acidity, iodine, glycerin, moisture content, sulfur, kinematic viscosity and average composition of fatty acid esters.