Facile one-pot synthesis of glycidol from glycerol and dimethyl carbonate catalyzed by tetraethylammonium amino acid ionic liquids

Nanocatalyst-Assisted Facile One-Pot Synthesis of Glycidol from Glycerol and Dimethyl Carbonate

This paper reports the facile one-pot synthesis of glycidol via the transesterification of glycerol with dimethyl carbonate using KNO₃/Al₂O₃ nanoparticles as supporting catalysts. KNO₃/Al₂O₃ nanoparticles were prepared by the impregnation method. XRD and FT-IR analyses indicated an interaction between KNO₃ and Al₂O₃ that enabled the decomposition of KNO₃ during the process and resulted in the formation of KAl₅O₈, the Al-O-K group, and K₂O. K₂O was recognized as one of the active sites of the catalyst. SEM results indicated the high performance of the supporting catalyst, as the catalytic activity depended on both the number of catalytic active sites and their distribution. The yield of glycidol was 64% at the expense of 95% glycerol under moderate reaction conditions (120 min, 1 atm, and 70 °C). The nanocatalyst prepared at 800 °C with a loading amount of 30% KNO₃ was the most efficient for the synthesis of glycidol. Furthermore, the catalyst was recovered and reused without a loss of efficiency even after the fourth recycling. A plausible mechanism for the one-pot synthesis of glycidol has also been proposed.

Perspectives for the Upgrading of Bio-Based Vicinal Diols within the Developing European Bioeconomy

The previous decade has witnessed a drastic increase of European incentives aimed at pushing forward the transition from an exclusively petro-based economy toward a strong and homogeneous bio-based economy. Since 2012, numerous programs have been developed to stimulate and promote research and innovation relying on sustainable and renewable resources. Terrestrial biomass is a virtually infinite reservoir of biomacromolecules, the biorefining of which provides platform molecules of low complexity yet with tremendous industrial potential. Among such bio-based platform molecules, polyols and, more specifically, molecules featuring vicinal diols have gained tremendous interest and have stimulated an increasing research effort from the chemistry and chemical engineering communities. This Review revolves around the most promising process conditions and technologies reported since 2012 that specifically target bio-based vicinal diols and promote their transformation into value-added molecules of wide industrial interest, such as olefins, epoxides, cyclic carbonates, and ketals.

An efficient and eco-friendly method for the thiol-Michael addition in aqueous solutions using amino acid ionic liquids (AAILs) as organocatalysts

A series of amino-acid based ionic liquids (Bmim[AA]s) have been synthesized and evaluated as catalysts, in aqueous solution. The results of a kinetic study of the thiol-Michael reaction of L-Cysteine with trans-β-nitrostyrene demonstrated the advantages of using (Bmim[AA]s) as organocatalysts. The benefits include high rate constants; mild reaction conditions; and, a reusable catalyst, which leads to a simple and efficient method for these important kinds of reactions.

Selective synthesis of 1,3-propanediol from glycidol over a carbon film encapsulated Co catalyst

A carbon film encapsulated Co NP catalyst (Co@NC) was highly active, selective and stable for the hydrogenation of glycidol to 1,3-PDO.

Versatile and scalable synthesis of cyclic organic carbonates under organocatalytic continuous flow conditions

A scalable intensified flow process for the preparation of cyclic organic carbonates relying on a cheap ammonium organocatalyst.

Solvent-free organocatalytic preparation of cyclic organic carbonates under scalable continuous flow conditions

A solvent-free organocatalyzed process for the transesterification of dimethyl carbonate (DMC) with 1,2-diols under scalable continuous flow conditions.

First Attempt of Glycidol-to-Monoalkyl Glyceryl Ethers Conversion by Acid Heterogeneous Catalysis: Synthesis and Simplified Sustainability Assessment

The selective preparation of monoalkylglyceryl ethers (MAGEs) is a task for researchers owing to their broad range of applications. In this work, green feedstocks such as glycidol and alcohols were used to prepare MAGEs under mild reaction conditions (80 °C, 3 h, 0.5 mol % catalyst) in the presence of acid heterogeneous catalysts. Nafion shows the best performances in terms of conversion and selectivity to MAGES and also high stability. A comparison of the environmental performances with the most consolidated pathway from glycerol has shown that the usage of glycidol (recovered as a value-added product from Epicerol process) and Nafion leads to a lower impact on ecosystems. In addition, results achieved from a simplified socio-economic analysis show that the innovative route here proposed has potential (at the laboratory scale) of enhancing potential gains and of reducing the social implications resulting from externalities associated with environmental impacts (e.g., CO₂ equivalents).

Polyglycidol, Its Derivatives, and Polyglycidol-Containing Copolymers-Synthesis and Medical Applications

Polyglycidol (or polyglycerol) is a biocompatible polymer with a main chain structure similar to that of poly(ethylene oxide) but with a ⁻CH₂OH reactive side group in every structural unit. The hydroxyl groups in polyglycidol not only increase the hydrophilicity of this polymer but also allow for its modification, leading to polymers with carboxyl, amine, and vinyl groups, as well as to polymers with bonded aliphatic chains, sugar moieties, and covalently immobilized bioactive compounds in particular proteins. The paper describes the current state of knowledge on the synthesis of polyglycidols with various topology (linear, branched, and star-like) and with various molar masses. We provide information on polyglycidol-rich surfaces with protein-repelling properties. We also describe methods for the synthesis of polyglycidol-containing copolymers and the preparation of nano- and microparticles that could be derived from these copolymers. The paper summarizes recent advances in the application of polyglycidol and polyglycidol-containing polymers as drug carriers, reagents for diagnostic systems, and elements of biosensors.