Glycerol Conversion Catalyzed by Carbons Prepared from Agroindustrial Wastes

Author(s)

Goncalves, Maraisa ^[1] ; Souza, Victor C. ^[1] ; Galhardo, Thalita S. ^[1] ; Mantovani, Michelle ^[1] ; Figueiredo, Flavia C. A. ^[1] ; Mandelli, Dalmo ^[1] ; Carvalho, Wagner A. ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Fed ABC, Ctr Ciencias Nat & Humanas, BR-09210170 Santo Andre, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research; v. 52, n. 8, p. 2832-2839, FEB 27 2013.
• Web of Science Citations: 24

Abstract

Sulfonated carbon-based catalysts were prepared from agroindustrial wastes (sugar cane bagasse, coconut husk, and coffee grounds). These catalysts showed high activity for glycerol etherification with tert-butyl alcohol. Yields of mono-tertbutyl glycerol (MTBG), di-tert-butyl glycerol (DTBG), and tri-tert-butyl-glycerol (TTBG) were higher than that obtained using Amberlyst-15 commercial resin. At 393 K and 5 wt % catalyst loading, glycerol conversion and selectivity to DTBG+TTBG after 4 h reaction time were 80.9% and 21.3%, respectively, with the sugar cane bagasse-based catalyst. Both catalytic activity and selectivity were affected by the presence of water in the reaction medium. However, the flexible and hydrophilic structure of the oxidized carbon allows the adsorption of water without compromising the activity of acid sites. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 11/14626-3 - Catalytic convertion of glycerol in liquid and vapor phase to products of higher commercial value
• Grantee: Wagner Alves Carvalho
• Support type: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 09/07109-2 - Catalytic hydrogenolysis of glycerol mediated by ruthenium catalysts
• Grantee: Wagner Alves Carvalho
• Support type: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 09/07125-8 - Catalytic conversion of glycerol mediated by pillared clays, activated carbons and conducting polymers
• Grantee: Flávia Camargo Alves Figueiredo
• Support type: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants