Fast and simple transesterification of epoxidized soybean oil to prepare epoxy methyl esters at room temperature

Epoxidized soybean oil methyl esters were prepared via transesterification of epoxidized soybean oil (ESBO) with methanol catalyzed by cheap and stable sodium hydroxide (NaOH). The transesterification could be completed in only 5 min at room temperature (25 °C) without loss of the epoxide function and the transesterification rate was promoted significantly while the utilization of 5% acetone as co-solvent. The afforded products epoxidized methyl esters represent a renewable substrate that is readily converted into surfactants, fuel additives and other valuable industrial products.