Organo-montmorillonites as catalysts for selective synthesis of glycerol monolaurate

Montmorillonite was modified with cetyl trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and tetra-n-butylammonium bromide (TBAB) to catalyze the production of glycerol monolaurate. The reaction was conducted at 130 °C for up to 8 h. With TBAB montmorillonite, a higher glycerol monolaurate selectivity of about 73% was obtained at a lauric acid conversion of about 80%.