Sulfonic acid functionalized solid acid: an alternative eco-friendly approach for transesterification of non-edible oils with high free fatty acids

A highly efficient procedure has been developed for the synthesis of biodiesel from non-edible oil using a supported acidic ionic liquid catalyst. The effects of reaction time, temperature, and other reaction parameters on the reaction were investigated. The supported ionic liquid catalyst was very efficient and gave an approximately 95 % yield when the reaction was carried out under the optimized conditions. The process represents a simple, ecologically safer route to transesterification with high product quality, as well as product recovery and catalyst recycling.