Emprego de catalisadores de estanho(IV) em reações de transesterificação: obtenção de biodiesel

Abstract

In this work we have investigated the catalytic activity of four metal complexes which exhibit Lewis acid character: dibutyltin diacetate, dibutyltin dilaurate, butylstannoic acid and di-n-butyl-oxo-stannane. With the aim to obtain a mixture of fatty acid esters, called biodiesel, these catalysts have been tested in alcoholysis of soybean and castor oils. Transterification experiments of the vegetable oils have been carried out using two types of apparatus. The first was a glass reactor connected to a reflux condenser. The second was a pressurized container (inoxidable steel reactor), containing a manometer and a temperature controller. In all transterification experiments carried out, the use of the steel reactor were more efficient face to the analogous reactions carried out with the glass reactor. The alcoholysis were also carried out in more severe conditions. The reactions were carried out at higher temperatures, from 80 to 150°C. It was observed that the reaction yield increases, increasing the reaction temperature. In a second stage of this work, the transesterification reaction of the soybean oil was carried out employing methylic, ethylic, iso-propylic, n-butylic and iso-butylic alcohols. The effect of the different type of alcohols in the reaction yield were evaluated. It was remarked that higher yields were obtained with long chain alcohols (butanol and isobutanol) which were similar to that observed with conventional ones (methanol and ethanol). Finally, the use of metal complexes of tin(IV) as catalysts for transterification reactions of vegetable oils to obtain biodiesel seems to be very promising. The experimental data, discussions, and conclusions are described on this dissertation.