Synthesis of glycerin triacetate over molding zirconia-loaded sulfuric acid catalyst

Zirconia-loaded sulfuric acid (SO42−/ZrO2) catalysts were prepared by impregnation method, molded by punch tablet machine and characterized by X-ray diffraction. SO42−/ZrO2 catalyst was used to obtain glycerol triacetate (GTA) directly from glycerin. The effect of some factors, such as different temperatures of calcination and catalysts molded or not, on the reusable times of catalysts and the yield of GTA were investigated. The optimum reaction conditions were shown as follows: the reaction temperature was 403 K; the reaction time continued for 8 h; the amount of molded catalysts was 5 wt% of glycerin and the molar ratio of glycerin to acetic acid was 1:8. The yield of GTA was 97.93% under the optimum condition.