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Related Concept Videos

Esters to Carboxylic Acids: Acid-Catalyzed Hydrolysis01:13

Esters to Carboxylic Acids: Acid-Catalyzed Hydrolysis

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Hydrolysis of esters under acidic conditions proceeds through a nucleophilic acyl substitution. In the presence of excess water, the reaction proceeds in a reversible manner, forming carboxylic acids and alcohols.
During hydrolysis, the ester is first activated towards nucleophilic attack through the protonation of the carboxyl oxygen atom by the acid catalyst. The protonation makes the ester carbonyl carbon more electrophilic. In the next step, water acts as a nucleophile and adds to the...
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Carboxylic Acids to Esters: Acid-Catalyzed (Fischer) Esterification Overview01:20

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The Fischer esterification reaction was developed by the German chemist Emil Fischer in 1895. It is a condensation reaction between carboxylic acids and alcohols in an acidic medium to give esters and water.
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Carboxylic Acids to Esters: Acid-Catalyzed (Fischer) Esterification Mechanism01:13

Carboxylic Acids to Esters: Acid-Catalyzed (Fischer) Esterification Mechanism

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Carboxylic acids react with alcohols to yield esters via an acid-catalyzed condensation reaction called Fischer esterification. This is a nucleophilic acyl substitution reaction that proceeds via a tetrahedral intermediate, where a water molecule is eliminated as the leaving group.
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Esters to Carboxylic Acids: Saponification01:25

Esters to Carboxylic Acids: Saponification

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Esters can be hydrolyzed to carboxylic acids under acidic or basic conditions. Base-promoted hydrolysis of esters is a nucleophilic acyl substitution reaction in which esters react with an aqueous base, followed by an acid to give carboxylic acids. This reaction is also known as saponification because it forms the basis for making soaps from fats.
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Alkylation of β-Diester Enolates: Malonic Ester Synthesis01:14

Alkylation of β-Diester Enolates: Malonic Ester Synthesis

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Malonic ester synthesis is a method to obtain α substituted carboxylic acids from ꞵ-diesters such as diethyl malonate and alkyl halides.
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Alkylation of β-Ketoester Enolates: Acetoacetic Ester Synthesis01:07

Alkylation of β-Ketoester Enolates: Acetoacetic Ester Synthesis

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Acetoacetic ester synthesis is a method to obtain ketones from alkyl halides and β-keto esters. The reaction occurs in the presence of an alkoxide base that abstracts the acidic proton of the β-keto esters. The step results in an enolate ion which is doubly stabilized. The enolate then reacts with an alkyl halide via the SN2 process to produce an alkylated ester intermediate with a new C–C bond. The hydrolysis of the intermediate, followed by acidification, results in an...
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Nanostructured Solid/Liquid Acid Catalysts for Glycerol Esterification: The Key to Convert Liability into Assets.

John Keogh1, Patcharaporn Inrirai1, Nancy Artioli1,2

  • 1School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Queen's University Belfast, David-Keir Building, Stranmillis Road, Belfast BT9 5AG, UK.

Nanomaterials (Basel, Switzerland)
|April 12, 2024
PubMed
Summary

Sustainable biorefineries can convert crude glycerol, a biodiesel byproduct, into valuable glycerol acetins using acid catalysts. This process offers economic benefits and supports a net-zero future.

Keywords:
biodieselbiofuelsesterificationfuel additivesglycerolnet zerosolid acid catalysts

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Area of Science:

  • Sustainable energy technologies
  • Biorefinery concept
  • Green chemistry

Background:

  • Growing concerns about fossil fuel depletion, energy demand, and climate change necessitate sustainable energy solutions.
  • Biodiesel production generates significant crude glycerol byproduct, posing a waste management challenge.
  • Crude glycerol impurities limit its use in high-value applications but are suitable for glycerol acetin production.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To critically review nanostructured solid/liquid acid catalysts for glycerol esterification.
  • To assess the economic viability and scalability of glycerol acetin production from crude glycerol.
  • To highlight glycerol esterification as a value-addition strategy for biorefineries.

Main Methods:

  • Review of homogeneous acid catalysts (mineral acids, Brønsted acidic ionic liquids).
  • Review of heterogeneous acid catalysts (metal oxides, ion-exchange resins, zeolites, supported heteropoly acids).
  • Analysis of techno-economic studies on glycerol esterification processes.

Main Results:

  • Nanostructured solid and liquid acid catalysts are effective for glycerol esterification.
  • Both homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts show promise for converting crude glycerol into glycerol acetins.
  • Techno-economic analyses indicate high profitability and scalability for glycerol esterification.

Conclusions:

  • Glycerol esterification using advanced acid catalysts is a viable and profitable process.
  • This valorization route adds economic value to biorefineries and supports sustainable fuel production.
  • The conversion of crude glycerol into glycerol acetins contributes to a circular economy and net-zero goals.