PROCEDURE: A HOMEMADE SOAP

a) Conventional Heating
1. NaOH (1 gram) + Distilled water (2,7 mL)

2. While the NaOH is dissolving, warming the oil (6 gram) in a small beaker on a hot
plate to 115°C. Use a magnetic stir bar to keep the oil moving.
3. Heat the NaOH in erlenmeyer flask use hot plate to 115°C.
4. When the oil and the NaOH solution are both at 115 °C, pour the NaOH solution into
the beaker with the oil, stir the reaction mixture vigorously and maintain a
temperature of 115 °C for 30 minutes.
5. Quickly transfer the contents to a small hexagonal polystyrene weighing boat and the
product must cure for a week’s time in storage.

b) Microwave-Assisted Synthesis
1. NaOH (0,5 gram) + Distilled water (1,5 mL)

2. Place your oil (3 gram) into the chemglass vial and secure the cap tightly.
3. A ramp-to-temperature program is used to heat the oil to 140°C over five minute’s
time.
4. Remove the vial from the carousel and slowly uncap the vial to vent excess pressure.
Quickly add the prepared NaOH solution and a stir bar. Recap the vial and load the
vial into the microwave again.
5. A ramp-to-temperature program will heat the contents to 115°C over three minutes.
This temperature is maintained for an additional 5 minutes.
6. Quickly transfer the product to a hexagonal polystyrene weighing boat.

PROCEDURE: BIODIESEL PRODUCTION

a) Conventional Heating
1. Methanol or ethanol (5 mL) + NaOH (0,1 gram)
2. While the NaOH is dissolving, weigh 10 g of your chosen oil directly into a threaded
round-bottom flask.
3. Assemble a reflux apparatus with a water-jacketed condenser and pre-heat an oil bath
to 50°C on a hot plate.
4. Add NaOH solution to the oil.
5. Attach the flask to the reflux apparatus and begin to heat the solutionuntul 1 hour.
Stir the solution vigorously with a magnetic stir bar to maintain a homogenous
mixture.
6. Upon cooling, two distinct layers should form. Remove the lower layer; this is the
byproduct of the reaction.
7. Qualitatively assess your product. Notice any color changes, changes in viscosity, and
other alterations in appearance. Calculate percent yield, collect an IR spectrum, and
save the product in order to determine the optical rotation.

b) Microwave-Assisted Synthesis
1. Methanol or ethanol or water (2,5 mL) + NaOH (0,05 gram)

2. Add 5 gram of oil to chemglass vial, add the NaOH solution and a stir bar to the
vial and cap the vial tightly.
3. Place the vial in the carousel and transfer it to the CEM MARS microwave unit.
4. A ramp-to-temperature program is used to heat the reaction to 50°C over three
minute’s time and then hold the temperature at 50°C for an additional five
minutes.
5. Remove the lower layer (if applicable); notice any color changes, changes in
viscosity, and other alterations in appearance in the upper layer.
6. Calculate percent yield, collect an IR spectrum, and save the product in order to
determine the optical rotation