LAUSR

Biomass upgrading is becoming a key alternative for handling difficulties associated with fossil sources of chemicals. The rapid growth in biodiesel production has triggered the availability of abundant glycerol feedstock with potentials for upgrade to valuable chemicals and intermediates. Glycerol carbonate is one of those compounds that can be derived from glycerol via heterogeneous catalysis. Its industrial applications as solvent, for detergents, cosmetics and in lithium ion batteries among others have great concerns. The paper therefore tailored recent literature on the role of solid catalysts for the glycerol to glycerol carbonate route. The activities of catalysts such as zeolites, heteropoly acids, oxides and hydrotalcites in improving glycerol carbonate yield by modifying catalyst compositions and reaction conditions were documented. Issues for further investigations were also identified.