Francesco Taddeo, Rosa Vitiello, Vincenzo Russo, Riccardo Tesser, Rosa Turco, Martino Di Serio
Catalysts 2023, 13(3), 503; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal13030503
Abstract
The activity of MOF-5-based solids has been exploited in the simultaneous transesterification and esterification of acid vegetable oils. For this purpose, three different types of MOF-5 have been synthesized and characterized, and then tested in the above-mentioned reactions. It has been demonstrated that the “regular MOF-5” was a suitable catalyst for biodiesel synthesis from waste oil also, rich in FFA (Free Fatty Acids). Moreover, to identify the true structure that acts in the reactions and possible structural modifications due to the presence of alcohols, proper studies have been performed. The results have evidenced a distortion of the regular structure of MOF-5 due to the breakage of some zinc bonds between the cluster and organic framework.