Etherification of glycerol to polyglycerols over hydrotalcite catalyst prepared using a combustion method

Selective etherification of glycerol to polyglycerols by hydrotalcite catalysts prepared using combustion method was investigated. Characteristics and activity of catalysts synthesized using various fuel types in the combustion method (glucose, fructose and saccharose) and calcination temperature (450 degrees C to 850 degrees C) were elucidated. Due to suitable molecular size and enthalpy, glucose was the most suitable fuel to be used. Calcination at 650 degrees C led to the highest catalytic activity (77.7% conversion) in 16 h. However, 850 degrees C was detrimental to catalytic activity due to the extraction of MgO from the hydrotalcite framework. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.