Selective glycerol transformations to high value-added products catalysed by aluminosilicate-supported iron oxide nanoparticles

Conversion of glycerol to cyclic acetals (with paraformaldehyde, benzaldehyde, furfural and acetone) and to mono-, di- and triacetylglycerides (with levulinic acid) was investigated using a supported iron oxide nanoparticle system of a mesoporous aluminosilicate heterogeneous catalyst (Fe/Al-SBA-15). The effect of various parameters on the reaction, temperature, mol% of catalyst or ratio of glycerol : substrate were studied. An optimization of the reaction conditions carried out with glycerol by means of experimental design methodology showed that a very high glycerol conversion (99%) and high combined selectivity toward di- and triacetylglycerides could be obtained under optimized conditions. All of the acetalisation reactions carried out at 100 degrees C also gave good to excellent conversions and selectivities to target products, illustrating the potential of Fe/Al-SBA-15 as a highly active, stable and reusable heterogeneous catalyst in glycerol acid-catalysed transformations.