making sodium methoxide solution

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Hi,
I've just read somewhere in a biodiesel recipe that sodium methoxide solution is made simply by disolving NaOH in dry methanol. Is this true?

This is in relation to BzCN + Sodium Methylate ^__> P2P ]410768[

[ning]

Methoxide is a stronger base than hydroxide. So the equilibrium is not favorable.

However, if you put some dehydrating agent in there like Na2O or CaO, it will eventually form NaOMe. Phase transfer catalysts help too.

There was a thread on this.

But you should make a stronger base than methoxide. Isopropoxide should bee better.