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4091354 
Journal Article 
Enhancing allyl alcohol selectivity in the catalytic conversion of glycerol; influence of product distribution on the subsequent epoxidation step 
Harvey, L; Sanchez, G; Kennedy, EM; Stockenhuber, M 
2015 
Yes 
Asia-Pacific Journal of Chemical Engineering
ISSN: 1932-2135
EISSN: 1932-2143 
10 
4 
598-606 
WOS:000359670400009 
Conversion of glycerol to allyl alcohol in a flow reactor and subsequent conversion to glycidol in a batch reactor are discussed in this paper. To increase reaction selectivity in the glycerol to allyl alcohol reaction, the catalyst was modified with alkali metal salts. The treatment of the catalyst (Fe/Al2O3) with potassium, caesium and rubidium salts enhanced the allyl alcohol yield when a 35 wt% glycerol solution was used as feed. Furthermore, the addition of organic reductants or hydrogen to the glycerol feed increased the allyl alcohol yield. Optimisation of allyl alcohol selectivity was achieved by a combination of alkali metal cation modifiers and the addition of reductants. The influence of acid, base and redox properties on selectivity is presented, focusing on the effect of these properties on product distribution. The effect of by-products from the conversion of glycerol to allyl alcohol on the epoxidation reaction was examined to identify the ideal reaction conditions for maximising the glycidol yield. Epoxidation of allyl alcohol by 30 wt% hydrogen peroxide was conducted in a batch reactor at 333K using titanium silicate-1 catalyst. Conversion of allyl alcohol was high for all conditions; however, hydrolysis of glycidol to glycerol reduces selectivity. (c) 2015 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. 
glycerol conversion; allyl alcohol; glycidol; iron oxide; acrolein; acid-base properties