Glycerol Carbonate Solventless Synthesis Using Ethylene Carbonate, Glycerol and a Tunisian Smectite Clay: Activity, Stability and Kinetic Studies

Biodiesel is nowadays added in 5–10% v/v to diesel, and its production involves the parallel creation of a vast glycerol amount as by-product. Despite many applications, there surplus (Gly) that has boosted search for new applications this compound, now transformed into an industrial synthesis intermediate or platform chemical. Its transcarbonation type reaction occurs under mild conditions, using weak moderate basic catalysts, allows glycols interest with high selectivity, such ethylene glycol. In research, we have studied activity Tunisian clay rich inorganic carbonates give it character. The raw (RC) been fully characterized by XRD, FTIR, SEM-EDS nitrogen porosimetry. Subsequently, employed catalyst react (G) carbonate (EC) obtain (GC) glycol (EG). main operating variables their effects on conversion initial rate were analyzed: concentration (2–6% w/w glycerol), reagent molar ratio (EC:G 1.5:1 3:1), temperature (80–110 °C). Then, appropriate kinetic model was selected from results obtained various including total deactivation order 1 catalyst. constant activation energy smectite found be around 183.3 kJ·mol−1. second phase investigation, explored reuse appreciate effect cycle-to-cycle deactivation. It can seen generally decreases number cycles at low goes through maximum temperature, while increases catalytic cycles. shows more stability, general, higher temperatures.