Fabrication of a Dendritic Heteropolyacid as Self-Separated, Water-Resistant Catalyst for Biodiesel Fuel Production

Abstract

A novel dendritic heteropolyacid (HPA)-based ionic liquid has been prepared from the interaction between H3PW12O40 (HPW) and a multi-SO3H dendritic ionic liquid (IL). This HPA IL exhibited strong Brønsted acidity and a dendritic structure, which was efficient for the esterification and transesterification reactions with excellent water- and acid-resistant stability. The good performance was attributed to the dendritic arrangement with many catalytic sites, porous structure, and hydrophobic surroundings. The catalyst was insoluble in the organic phase resulting easy separation for reuse.