Sodium Methoxide(SMO)

1. Biodiesel Production

• Sodium methoxide is a highly efficient catalyst in the transesterification reaction of biodiesel (fatty acid methyl esters). It catalyzes the reaction of vegetable oils or animal fats (triglycerides) with methanol to produce biodiesel and the byproduct glycerol.

2. Pharmaceutical Industry

Sodium methoxide is an important base and methoxylating agent in drug synthesis.

• Used in the synthesis of various vitamins (such as vitamin A and B1), antibiotics, sulfonamides, and analgesics. Reactions it participates in include transesterification, condensation, rearrangement, and dehydrohalogenation.

3. Organic Synthesis and Fine Chemicals

Sodium methoxide is an indispensable strong base reagent in laboratories and factories.

• Claisen condensation and Dickmann condensation: Used in the synthesis of important intermediates such as β-keto esters.

• Williamson synthesis: Used in the synthesis of mixed ethers.

• As a strong base: Used for the removal of acidic hydrogen or to promote elimination reactions.

4. Food Processing

• In the food industry, sodium methoxide can be used in the transesterification process of oils to alter the physical properties of vegetable oils (such as melting point and consistency), for the production of shortening, margarine, etc. It is important to note that catalyst residue must be completely removed from the final product.

5. Other Applications

• Edible Oil Treatment: Used to reduce the free fatty acid content in waste edible oils.

• Synthetic Dyes and Pigments: Participates in reactions as an alkaline catalyst.