Alternative carbon based acid catalyst for selective esterification of glycerol to acetylglycerols

Carbon-based acid catalysts with porous structure were prepared by sulfonation of carbonized sucrose. The catalysts have an amorphous porous structure with a good acid capacity and high thermal stability. The catalytic activity was evaluated by the esterification of glycerol with acetic acid. The sulfonated carbon catalysts showed that glycerol was completely transformed into a mixture of glycerol esters including a high selectivity of about 50% to triacetylglycerol (TAG).

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (137 K)Download as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Selective esterification of glycerol over carbon-based acid catalysts. ► High conversion with 50% triacetin selectivity was obtained over a sulfonated carbon. ► Carbonization and sulfonation methods were optimized. ► Characterization of active sites and structure–activity correlations are reported.