Process intensification for tertiary amine catalyzed glycerol carbonate production: translating microwave irradiation to a continuous-flow process

Abstract

Different products of interest can be produced from glycerol and glycerol carbonate (GC) has received much attention in recent years because of its physical properties, nontoxicity and water solubility. Herein we report a process intensification protocol for glycerol carbonate production mediated by tertiary amine catalysis where a 24 kg per L per day productivity was obtained with 79% isolated yield and a 5 hour operation time without losing efficiency.