Glycerol etherification with TBA: high yield to poly-ethers using a membrane assisted batch reactor

Environ Sci Technol. 2014 May 20;48(10):6019-26. doi: 10.1021/es4053413. Epub 2014 May 9.

Abstract

In this work, a novel approach to obtain high yield to poly-tert-butylglycerolethers by glycerol etherification reaction with tert-butyl alcohol (TBA) is proposed. The limit of this reaction is the production of poly-ethers, which inhibits the formation of poly-ethers potentially usable in the blend with conventional diesel for transportation. The results herein reported demonstrate that the use of a water permselective membrane offers the possibility to shift the equilibrium toward the formation of poly-ethers since the water formed during reaction is continuously and selectively removed from the reaction medium by the recirculation of the gas phase. Using a proper catalyst and optimizing the reaction conditions, in a single experiment, a total glycerol conversion can be reached with a yield to poly-ethers close to 70%, which represents data never before reached using TBA as reactant. The approach here proposed could open up new opportunities for all catalytic reactions affected by water formation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Catalysis
  • Ceramics / chemistry
  • Ethers / chemistry*
  • Glycerol / chemistry*
  • Membranes, Artificial*
  • Molecular Weight
  • tert-Butyl Alcohol / chemistry*

Substances

  • Ethers
  • Membranes, Artificial
  • tert-Butyl Alcohol
  • Glycerol