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We report here the synthesis, characterization, and use of tin (3‐hydroxy‐2‐methyl‐4‐pyrone)2(H2O)2, lead (3‐hydroxy‐2‐methyl‐4‐pyrone)2 (H2O)2, mercury (3‐hydroxy‐2‐methyl‐4‐pyrone)2‐(H2O)2, and zinc (3‐hydroxy‐2‐methyl‐4‐pyrone)2(H2O)2 as catalysts in the transesterification reaction of soybean oil with methanol. All complexes are active in this reaction, with the following decreasing activities: Sn2+≫Zn2+>Pb2+≈Hg2+. The catalytic activities of these complexes were also compared with classical alkali and acid transesterification catalysis (with NaOH and H2SO4).