Selective formation of triacetin by glycerol acetylation using acidic ion-exchange resins as catalyst and toluene as an entrainer

Abstract

Esterification of glycerol with acetic acid in the presence of toluene as an entrainer was performed over acidic Amberlyst ion-exchange resins in a batch reactor. Toluene continuously removed the reaction water, thus the chemical equilibrium was effectively shifted; the selectivity for the most desired product triacetin was dramatically increased. The influence of reaction conditions such as reaction time, acetic acid: glycerol molar ratio and catalyst amount were investigated. More than 95% selectivity to triacetin at complete glycerol conversion was obtained. The ion-exchange resin catalysts were reusable in subsequent runs, but due to some deactivation the triacetin yields deteriorated.