[en] Full text: Biodiesel is a renewable energy resource that has attracted considerable attention in recent times, could be considered as an alternative to petroleum-based diesel, being renewable, non-toxic, biodegradable, non-flammable and environmentally friendly. Thus, this study aimed to obtain the type ferrite CoFe₂O₄ and evaluate its performance as a catalyst for obtaining biodiesel. The sample was synthesized via combustion reaction and characterized by X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, Fourier transform and scanning electron microscopy. The esterification and transesterification of soybean oil, conducted via methyl route were performed under high-pressure reactor at 180 ° C for 1 hour, with a molar ratio of oil/ethanol 1:12 with 2% catalyst. The obtained Biodiesel was analyzed for conversion into methyl ester by gas chromatography. By diffraction of X-rays, there was only the formation of the spinel phase patterns identified by JCPDS cards 86-2267 and 22-1086. As the results of FTIR analysis the presence of vibrational bands at 1381, 1637, 2352, 2927 and 3432 cm^-1 was found. The morphology of the system under study revealed the presence of aggregates in the form of irregular blocks with pre-sintered, low porosity surface. The presence of cavities indicates high release of gases during the combustion reaction. According to the results concerning the application of ferrite in esterification and transesterification was observed conversion efficiency in biodiesel averaged 55% and 3.0%, respectively. Thus, it was found that the sample was more efficient when applied to esterification reaction. Reference: [1] GANDURE J.; KETLOGETSWE C.; TEMU A. Fuel properties of biodiesel produced from selected plant kernel oils indigenous to Botswana: A comparative analysis Renewable Energy, Vol.68, p. 414-420, 2014. (author)