Use of Ferric Chloride‐Methanol Reagent for the Analysis of Fatty Acid Composition of Lipids

Abstract
A solution of anhydrous ferric chloride in methanol (15% w/v) converts fatty acids into their methyl esters within 10 minutes under reflux. This reagent is comparable to methanolic hydrogen chloride in its performance and can be applied for both transesterification of lipids as well as for the esterification of free fatty acids.