New biocomponents from glycerol

Glycerol is a by-product of biodiesel production, for which new uses are being sought. Etherification of glycerol with isobutene in liquid phase with acidic ion exchange resin catalyst gave five product ethers and, as a side reaction, isobutene reacted to C8–C16 hydrocarbons. The effect of the reaction conditions on the system was studied and conditions for optimal selectivity toward ethers were discovered near with isobutene/glycerol molar ratio of 3 at 80 °C. The conditions controlling the distribution of the product ethers were studied and it was found that the extent of the etherification reaction and thus the main ether products can be changed by varying the reaction conditions.