Synthesis of Glycerol Carbonate via Alcoholysis of Urea with Glycerol: Current Status and Future Prospects
Yuqiao Li, Huimin Liu, Ze Zheng, Zhu Fu, Dehua He, Qijian Zhang
Abstract
Glycerol carbonate is an important chemical in industrial chemistry. It could be synthesized from glycerol, which is a byproduct in the biodiesel production process. Alcoholysis of urea with glycerol is a promising approach for the synthesis of glycerol carbonate. Catalysts are indispensable for the reaction of alcoholysis of urea with glycerol. Summarizing the developed catalysts and unraveling the reaction mechanisms pave pathways to the rational design of better catalysts in the future. In this paper, the current status of Zn-based catalysts, La-based catalysts, Sn-based catalysts, hydrotalcite, and ionic liquids, as well as several other catalysts in alcoholysis of urea with glycerol is reviewed; in addition, the challenges and opportunities are noted and its future is prospected, with the aim to move this research field forward.