Transesterification of canola oil on potassium-supported TiO2 catalysts

The transesterification reaction of canola oil was studied on titania-supported catalysts with varying loadings of potassium. It was found that the most active catalysts fall in the range where the adsorption/desorption of CO2 was the highest. Total conversion to methyl esters was achieved on a catalyst with 20% K-loading under air conditions and with no in situ pre-treatment before reaction.