In this work a vanadium(III)-based catalyst was synthesized, characterized by thermogravimetric analysis, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and FTIR spectroscopy, and its activity was evaluated during fatty acids esterification with methanol. The solid catalyst was monitored during the catalyzed reactions, conducted under room atmosphere pressure and solvothermal conditions. The contribution of the leached fraction to the esterification conversion values was also investigated. Factorial experiments were also made, which helped investigate the interdependence between the major variables and also to adjust the experimental conditions according to the optimal results. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.