Ionic-liquid-catalyzed decarboxylation of glycerol carbonate to glycidol

► Glycidol was obtained in high yield from the decarboxylation of glycerol carbonate. ► The catalytic performance of ILs was strongly affected by the basicity of the anions of ILs. ► The use of Lewis acidic metal salt with an IL improved the yield and selectivity of glycidol. ► The driving force is the preferential interaction of an IL with the -OH group of glycerol carbonate.