How does biodiesel differ chemically from petroleum-based diesel?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: B. Biodiesel is a mixture of long-chain esters made from plant or animal oils; petrodiesel is a mixture of hydrocarbons
- Step 1: Biodiesel is made by transesterification: triglycerides react with methanol or ethanol with a catalyst to give fatty acid methyl or ethyl esters.
- Step 2: Petrodiesel is a mixture of hydrocarbons separated from crude oil.
Answer
biodiesel is esters; petrodiesel is hydrocarbons.
Why not the others: Fermentation makes bioethanol, not biodiesel; the other options swap or invent the compound classes.
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