Heterogeneous Tin Catalysts Applied to the Esterification and Transesterification Reactions

Table 1

Comparison between homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts employed in the transesterification reactions [11, 12]^a.

Factors	Heterogeneous catalysis	Homogeneous catalysis
Reusability	Easy	Non reusable
Operation	Continuous fix bed	Limited used of continuous methodology
Recovery	Easy	Brønsted acids are not recoverable
Reaction temperature	In general, high temperature can be used because the reactions occur under high pressure	Normally limited by boiling point of the alcohol
Corrosiveness	In general, are few or noncorrosive	Brønsted acids are highly corrosive,
Environmental problems	Fewer problems of effluents disposal	Larger generation of effluent and neutralization residues
Water sensibility	The catalyst is leached	More water tolerant

aThese data were adapted from references [11, 12].