Synthesis of glycerol carbonate by transesterification of glycerol with dimethyl carbonate over K-zeolite derived from coal fly ash

• K-zeolite synthesized from coal fly ash was used as catalyst for GC synthesis.
• The K-zeolite yielded 96% of GC at mild operating conditions.
• Using waste fly ash to valorize glycerol to valuable GC.
• The catalyst was reusable for four reaction cycle.

Biodiesel industry is facing a challenging problem in managing biodiesel by-product, glycerol. Utilization of by-product glycerol is crucial for sustainability of biodiesel industry. Conversion of glycerol to value-added chemicals increases the profitability of biodiesel manufacturing. Glycerol carbonate, a versatile compound derived from glycerol via transesterification of glycerol with dimethyl carbonate (DMC) was synthesized over K-zeolite derived from coal fly ash by hydrothermal treatment. The effect of different reaction parameters such as the molar ratio of DMC to glycerol, catalyst loading, reaction temperature and reaction time on the transesterification reaction was investigated. The obtained data showed that at DMC–glycerol molar ratio of 3:1, catalyst loading of 4 wt.% and reaction temperature of 75 °C, the glycerol conversion and glycerol carbonate yield from the process was 100 % and 96%, respectively. The obtained GC can be used in different energy related applications such as bio-based fuel additive and green electrolyte solvent in lithium batteries.