Biomass derived heterogenous catalyst for synthesis of solketal from biodiesel byproduct glycerol

Glycerol valorisation is crucial for long-term economic viability due to the rise in biodiesel synthesis on a global scale. Therefore, it highly desirable convert bioglycerol into platform chemicals like solketal, fuel additive which will help sustain industry. Herein, glycerol transformed solketal utilising heterogeneous catalyst derived from SO3H-functionalized aromatic carbonaceous material with auxiliary hydrophilic groups and microwave irradiation. An ideal acetone molar ratio of 1:5 was found acetalization process that produces solketal. A conversion 98.1.4% 100% selectivity obtained using an 8 wt% dose at 70 °C just 10 mins method heating (50 W, 100 pressure). The reaction's activation energy be 35.8 kJ mol−1. reusability studied exhaustively over course six cycles, EDX results revealed there only minor loss activity 6th reaction cycle moderate leaching active sites.