Microwave-Assisted Glycerol Conversion into Valuable Chemicals

Glycerol is a high-value commercial chemical whose production has increased quite a bit in recent years, as an important by-product of biodiesel. The conversion of glycerol in added value products allows not only to reintroduce a waste as secondary raw material, but also to improve sustainability of the production steps. The conversion of glycerol under microwave irradiation is still a new procedure and, for this reason, few processes are reported in the literature. Moreover, with the use of suitable catalysts, the procedure is very effective in terms of saving energy, time and economy. One of the most investigated processes to valorize glycerol using microwaves as a heating source is the production of oxygenated fuel additives as acetins, ethers and ketals. In this chapter recent studies on microwave assisted glycerol etherification and acetalisation will be addressed.