Mg1+xCa1−xO2 as reusable and efficient heterogeneous catalyst for the synthesis of glycerol carbonate via the transesterification of glycerol with dimethyl carbonate Original Research Article

A reusable and highly active heterogeneous catalyst of the type Mg1+xCa1−xO2 has been developed and thermally treated at 850 °C for 6 h. The catalytic activity was investigated during the transesterification of glycerol with dimethyl carbonate to synthesize the valuable glycerol carbonate. A typical Mg1.2Ca0.8O2 mixed oxides catalyst was characterized by BET surface area, surface base amount, CO2-TPD, XRD and FTIR, and its microstructure was studied by the aid of scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The investigated characteristics gave a clear insight into the catalytic performance of the catalyst. Over 0.30 g of this catalyst, glycerol conversion was almost complete and the yield of glycerol carbonate was 100% under atmospheric pressure. The best reaction conditions are: molar ratio of glycerol/DMC of 1:2, reaction temperature of 70 °C and 90 min of reaction time. The transesterification results showed that the synergism interaction between Ca and Mg species in the catalyst structure was the reason for its high activity.