Metanolízis

Metanolízis is a chemical process involving the cleavage of a compound by methanol. It is a specific type of alcoholysis where methanol acts as the reactant. In metanolízis, the methanol molecule breaks a bond within another molecule, typically a larger organic compound, and in the process, becomes incorporated into the resulting smaller molecules. This reaction often involves the substitution of a functional group on the larger molecule with a methoxy group (-OCH3), with the other part of the cleaved bond forming a new molecule, often a hydroxyl group (-OH).

The reaction mechanism for metanolízis depends on the specific substrate and conditions. It can be catalyzed by acids or bases. For instance, under acidic conditions, the methanol acts as a nucleophile, attacking an electrophilic center in the substrate. In base-catalyzed metanolízis, a methoxide ion (CH3O-) is typically the active nucleophile. This process is commonly employed in organic synthesis for modifying or breaking down various compounds. An important industrial application of metanolízis is in the production of biodiesel, where triglycerides (fats and oils) react with methanol to produce fatty acid methyl esters and glycerol. This reaction is usually base-catalyzed. Metanolízis can also be used to break down polymers or other complex organic molecules into simpler components.