Mono-, di-, and tri-tert-butyl ethers of glycerol: A molecular spectroscopic study

MS, NMR, IR and Raman molecular spectroscopy techniques were applied to characterize 3-tert-butoxy-propane-1,2-diol, 1,3-di-tert-butoxy-propan-2-ol, and 1,2,3-tri-tert-butoxy-propane. These ethers are the main products of glycerol etherification reaction and are excellent oxygen additives for diesel fuel. Computational DFT/ B3LYP/6-31G** studies were performed to support and rationalize both vibrational spectroscopy analysis and the isomer ratio.