Production of biofuel additives by esterification and acetalization of bioglycerol

The current transition from petrochemical resources to biomass-derived platform molecules is in great demand for the development of synergies, scientific innovations and breakthroughs, and steep changes in the infrastructure of chemical industries. This article is focused on new opportunities for the production of biofuel additives from bioglycerol, which is obtained as waste and/or by-product from the current biodiesel industries. Here, we summarize the recent relevant processes for the production of biofuel additives from bioglycerol over various acid catalysts in two different pathways: (i) the esterification of bioglycerol with acetic acid, levulinic acid and other acids, and (ii) the acetalization of bioglycerol with acetone, furfural, benzaldehyde and other carbonyl compounds. It is evident that the synthesis of biofuel additives through esterfication and acetalization of bioglycerol is an important research area with imperative prospects for industrial applications.