Question

What chemical reaction makes biodiesel?

• A. transesterification
  
• B. sublimation
• C. polymerization
• D. fermentation
  

Answer 1

The correct option is A transesterification

Sublimation is the transition of a substance directly from the solid to the gas phase, without passing through the intermediate liquid phase.

Polymerization is a process of reacting monomer molecules together in a chemical reaction to form polymer chains.

The chemical breakdown of a substance by bacteria, yeasts, or other microorganisms, typically involving effervescence and the giving off of heat is called fermentation.

Transesterification is the process of exchanging the organic group R″ of an ester with the organic group R′ of an alcohol.

The alcohol reacts with the fatty acids to form the mono-alkyl ester (biodiesel) and crude glycerol.

Biodiesel production is the process of producing the biofuel, biodiesel, through the chemical reactions transesterification and esterification. This involves vegetable or animal fats and oils being reacted with short-chain alcohols (typically methanol or ethanol).