Synthesis of methyl esters from palm (Elaeis guineensis) oil using cobalt doped MgO as solid oxide catalyst

The potential of MgxCo2-xO2 as heterogeneous reusable catalyst in transesterification of palm oil to methyl ester was investigated. The catalyst was prepared via co-precipitation of the metal hydroxides at different Mg-Co ratios. Mg1.7Co0.3O2 catalyst was more active than Mg0.3Co1.7O2 in the transesterification of palm oil with methanol. The catalysts calcined at temperature 300 degrees C for 4 h resulted in highly active oxides and the highest transesterification of 90% was achieved at methanol/oil molar ratio of 9:1, catalyst loading of 5.00 wt.%, reaction temperature of 150 degrees C and reaction time of 2 h. The catalyst could easily be removed from reaction mixture, but showed 50% decrease in activity when reused due to leaching of active sites. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.