Hydrothermal synthesis of cobalt (II) 3D metal-organic framework acid catalyst applied in the transesterification process of vegetable oil

Abstract Biodiesel obtained from vegetable oils is considered a renewable fuel and because of its environmental advantages and low cost it is in sight of many investigations all around the world. This work discusses the application of a new metal-organic framework (MOF) on the ultrasonic-assisted transesterification process of Erythrina mexicana oil. The new heterogeneous catalyst cobalt (II) metal-organic framework MOF (1), was synthesized by the hydrothermal reaction of Co(NO3)2·6H2O, 1,2-di-(4-pyridyl)-ethylene (L1) and 5-Nitroisophthalic acid (L2) in water at 160 °C. Monocrystal X-ray diffraction method was employed to determine the molecular structure. The reaction to obtain biodiesel was carried out in an ultrasonic bath and finished in methanol at 60 °C and to determine and quantify the oil composition the Gas Chromatography (GC) method was employed, supported by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy. Finally, five fatty acid methyl esters were found in the composition of Erythrina mexicana oil.