Work

Sustainable Diesel from Rapeseed Oil Esters by Sequential Semi‐Hydrogenation, Double Bond Isomerization, and Metathesis

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Rapeseed oil methyl esters (RME) have been converted to biofuel with a boiling point curve that fulfills the EN 590 specifications for modern diesel engines using a robust, three‐step process. In the first step, the polyunsaturated esters of the RME were semi‐hydrogenated in the presence of 20 ppm of a solvent‐stabilized Pd0 colloid. The resulting mono‐unsaturated fatty esters were further converted into a defined mixture of double‐bond isomers by passing them over inexpensive, Brønsted‐acidic Amberlyst 15 resin at high space‐time yields (1.3 kg⋅L−1⋅h−1). The resulting mixture was then converted into a blend of terminally unsaturated olefins and monoesters, with <4.9 % diesters and <21 % saturated fatty esters by cross‐metathesis with technical‐grade ethylene. In this step, 50 ppm of a cyclic alkyl amino carbene (CAAC) Ru catalyst M1001 was used to achieve record‐setting conversions (91 %) and selectivities (94 %). All three steps were conducted with neat feedstock at mild temperatures (60–100 °C). This demonstrates that sustainable diesel fuel for use in contemporary diesel engines is accessible from RME and ethylene via a short set of industrially viable reaction steps.

Source: Chemistry - A European Journal

DOI: 10.1002/chem.202500523

Authors: Mykhailo Kondratiuk, Maximilian L. Spiekermann, Thomas Seidensticker, Lukas J. Gooßen

Institutions: Ruhr University Bochum, TU Dortmund University

Language: English

Topic: Biodiesel Production and Applications

Subfield: Biomedical Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Affordable and clean energy, Responsible consumption and production

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,640