Alcoholysis of triacylglycerols by heterogeneous catalysis

Synthesis of fatty acid esters by alcoholysis, especially methanolysis of triacylglycerols was investigated using metal salts of amino acids as catalysts. The methanol to oil molar ratio was 6:1. It could be shown that salts containing a quaternary amino or a highly basic group as e.g. a guanidino group have catalytic activity in alcoholysis. Some of these salts are insoluble in monovalent alcohols, glycerol, and fatty acids esters and are therefore suitable catalysts for heterogeneously catalysed alcoholysis. Zinc salts of arginine, carnitine or histidine are among others suited for industrial use. These catalysts are also suitable for heterogeneously catalysed interesterification.