Activity Comparison of Acidic Resins in the Production of Valuable Glycerol Acetates

Acetates of glycerol have been produced in a heterogeneous reaction system using acidic ion-exchange resin catalysts; Amberlyst-15 (A-15), Amberlyst-16 (A-16), Amberlyst-36 (A-36), Amberlite-IR 120 (A-IR 120) and Relite-EXC8D (R-EXC8D). Effect of reaction temperature on glycerol conversion and product (mono, di and tri glycerol acetates) selectivities were investigated via reaction experiments conducted with glycerol to acetic acid initial molar ratio (G/Ac) of 1/6. Increase in glycerol conversion with an increase in temperature was observed for all catalysts. Among the catalysts investigated, R-EXC8D exhibited the highest activity in the temperature range of 95–150°C. Reaction was completed within a 25 minute short time period.