From symmetric glycerol derivatives to dissymmetric chlorohydrins

Molecules. 2011 Mar 2;16(3):2065-74. doi: 10.3390/molecules16032065.

Abstract

The anticipated worldwide increase in biodiesel production will result in an accumulation of glycerol for which there are insufficient conventional uses. The surplus of this by-product has increased rapidly during the last decade, prompting a search for new glycerol applications. We describe here the synthesis of dissymmetric chlorohydrin esters from symmetric 1,3-dichloro-2-propyl esters obtained from glycerol. We studied the influence of two solvents: 1,4-dioxane and 1-butanol and two bases: sodium carbonate and 1-butylimidazole, on the synthesis of dissymmetric chlorohydrin esters. In addition, we studied the influence of other bases (potassium and lithium carbonates) in the reaction using 1,4-dioxane as the solvent. The highest yield was obtained using 1,4-dioxane and sodium carbonate.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Chlorohydrins / chemistry*
  • Glycerol / chemistry*
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization
  • Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared

Substances

  • Chlorohydrins
  • Glycerol