Esterification of fatty acids with alcohols over niobium phosphate

The aim of this study is the evaluation of niobium catalysts (niobic acid, niobium phosphate) in the esterification reactions of fatty acids (C12–C18) with alcohols (methanol, ethanol, butanol). The catalysts were characterized by different techniques (N2 adsorption/desorption, XRD, FTIR, FTIR of adsorbed pyridine). The niobium phosphate was the most active in esterification of lauric acid with butanol and can be reutilized three times without loss of activity.

► Niobium phosphate was active in esterification of fatty acids with alcohols.
► The use of butanol, for biodiesel preparation, results in a totally biorenewable process.
► Niobium phosphate can be reutilized without loss of activity in the esterification of lauric acid with butanol.