Novel Catalytic Etherification Reaction of Glycerol to Short–Chain Polyglycerol

Zeolite Y sodium, a support base material for the catalyst, has been pre-conditioned for pore cleansing and opening in a carbon dioxide medium, both subcritical and supercritical. Target ion impregnation with a basic compound has been subsequently applied for catalytic activity increase. The synthesized catalyst has been evaluated in terms of its catalytic activity and efficiency of the etherification of glycerol to polyglycerol whose desired products are diglycerol and triglycerol. The chemical and physical properties of the catalyst, both before and after the reaction, have been examined using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and accelerated surface and porosity analyzer (ASAP). The selectivity towards the desired products, the glycerol conversion, and the yield of the reaction have been determined, using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The current study could significantly impact the way glycerol, an over-abundant byproduct of biodiesel industry, is converted to short-chain polyglycerol, a value-added product.