Talk:Methoxide
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[edit] Cut from Main
I removed this content from the main page. This idea has been spread widely amongst the Biodiesel community, though I have seen no scientific evidence indicating it is true. I have a publication on equilibrium of potassium methylate / (methanolKOH) that indicates the statements to be false in most applications (as best as I can interpret). I would be happy to share it, particularly with someone of expertise.
In biodiesel production, methoxide is incorrectly referred to as the product of mixing methanol and sodium hydroxide. This reaction produces water according to the equation[citation needed] NaOH + CH3OH -> H2O + Na+ + CH3O-. There is an equilibrium between CH3O- and OH-: CH3O- + H2O <--> CH3OH + OH-. Because the addition of NaOH to CH3OH only results in a small amount of methoxide in solution, referring to this as methoxide is less correct than saying that it is a sodium hydroxide solution in methanol.[citation needed] This confusion may have arisen since methoxide is a very powerful base that has been used experimentally in several papers and seems to self perpetuate.[citation needed] As methoxide is a powerful base, and base transesterified biodiesel is a common method of production, the use of sodium methoxide can substantially increase yields, however it is very sensitive to water, as little as 1% in a reaction will stop it from working.[citation needed] Water immediately reacts with the sodium methoxide to form caustic soda (NaOH) and methanol. Since water inhibits the base catalyst, this stops transesterification taking place. Another problem with water is that in the presence of triglycerides (from the biodiesel reaction) sodium / potassium and water when being mixed will undergo saponification (soap formation), another reason why water must be kept out of the system.
