We developed a project during an undergraduate course (advanced experimental chemistry) on the microwave-assisted Colon Support synthesis of biodiesel (BD), via base-catalyzed transesterification of coconut fat (CF) and soybean oil (SO) by ethanol, followed by product analysis by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.Our goals were to introduce a problem with relevant socio-economic impact (production of BD); to discuss and compare methods for biofuel analysis, and to gain insight into transesterification mechanism as an important example of acyl-transfer reactions.Comparison of both BFs showed clear difference in fatty acid composition; that from CF contains shorter, saturated HERBAL FIBREBLEND chains (mainly ethyl dodecanoate- and tetradecanoate), whereas biodiesel from SO is essentially composed of longer unsaturated chains (e.g.
, ethyl oleate and linoleate).The project takes eight hours to complete, is conceptually simple, being suitable for inclusion in the undergraduate science curriculum.