Synthesis of glycerol carbonate from glycerol and dimethyl carbonate in basic ionic liquids

Glycerol carbonate is a key multifunctional compound used as solvent, additive, and building block in alternative chlorine-free processes. Here, we report the synthesis of glycerol carbonate from renewable materials (glycerol and dimethyl carbonate, DMC) using basic ionic liquids (ILs) as catalysts. After process optimization, it has been possible to isolate pure glycerol carbonate in quantitative yield using a three-fold excess of DMC and ca. 15 % of IL. The IL could be reused at least four times without any significant reduction in the conversion yield.