Green cyclic acetals production by glycerol etherification reaction with benzaldehyde using cationic acidic resin

• Main Authors: Yamamoto Kariyn, Kiyan Arina Miki, Bagio Jackeline Camargo, Rossi Kayque Araújo Borges, Delabio Berezuk Francielle, Berezuk Márcio Eduardo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: De Gruyter 2019-01-01
• Series: Green Processing and Synthesis
• Subjects: acidic resin; benzaldehyde; cyclic acetals; etherification; glycerol
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1515/gps-2018-0059

In this paper, we investigated the effect of temperature, glycerol etherification concentration with benzaldehyde, organic solvent and catalyst reuse effects using a cationic acidic resin as catalyst for production of green cyclic acetals of high commercial value. The best reaction conditions show a conversion above 93% of glycerol and yield to cyclic acetals above 61%. The highest selectivity elements observed were 2-phenyl-1,3-dioxan-5-ol, in cis and trans isomer forms reaching 80%. The temperature had a positive effect increasing on glycerol conversion, though it also favored the formation of undesired compounds. A high concentration of benzaldehyde reactant kept the selectivity values constant but increased glycerol conversion resulting in higher yields, mainly when organic solvents were used. Reuse of the catalyst resulted in a slight decrease in yield values, which demonstrated stability and durability of the catalyst used.