Synthesis of Solketal from Glycerol and Acetone: Main Approaches to Its Preparation

Main methods to obtain solketal from acetone and glycerol, which is widely used as solvent in resins, paints and varnishes, cleaning agents, and a fuel additive for motor fuels, are considered. New and promising methods realized on batch (BFR) and continuous flow reactors (CFR) developed over the past five years are especially emphasized. A reaction performed in BFRs with additional external influences (microwaves, ultrasound or cavitation) can increase its rate and a yield of solketal. New approaches to solketal synthesis in BFRs using photocatalysts and membrane catalysts are considered. It is shown that microreactor and microchannel technologies are of particular interest among the processes performed in CFRs, because they address the challenges of intensifying solketal production. The advantages and disadvantages of these new methods are assessed in this work, and future developments for these technologies are proposed.