Preparation of biodiesel using microwave heating in an undergraduate organic chemistry laboratory course

CHED 461

Tyson A. Miller, tyson.miller@uconn.edu and Nicholas E. Leadbeater, nicholas.leadbeater@uconn.edu. Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, 55 North Eagleville Road, Unit 3060, Storrs, CT 06269-3060
We have recently undertaken a study designed to show improvement in student awareness about the use of microwave heating in organic synthesis in general and specifically in the preparation of biodiesel. Engineering students in a one-semester organic chemistry laboratory course prepared biodiesel by using either microwave or conventional heating. The students were polled before and after the lab class on their knowledge in the areas of biofuels and microwave heating as a tool for preparative chemistry. The results of the study will be presented.