Magnesia-ceria mixed oxide catalysts for the selective transesterification of glycerol to glycerol carbonate

MgO-CeO2 catalysts were investigated for selective synthesis of glycerol carbonate by glycerol transesterification with dimethyl carbonate as carbonating source. Co-precipitation technique was used to prepare Mg-Ce oxides by with different molar ratios. Samples characteristics were derived by N-2 adsorption, XRD, FE-SEM, TGA-DTA and CO2-TPD. The catalysts surface structural properties and basicity were directed by the composition of oxides and treatment temperature. The sample with 3:1 Mg/Ce ratio exhibited highest basicity. The same catalyst treated at a temperature of 650 degrees C, exhibited highest glycerol carbonate yield of 86%. The reaction conditions were also optimized. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.