Application of Corncob Residue-derived Catalyst in the Transesterification of Glycerol with Dimethyl Carbonate to Synthesize Glycerol Carbonate

Corncob was calcined within a temperature range of 300 °C to 700 °C to prepare a series of corncob residue catalysts for the transesterification of glycerol with dimethyl carbonate (DMC) to synthesize glycerol carbonate (GC). Among the catalysts, the corncob residue catalyst obtained through calcination of corncob at 500 °C (CCR-500) showed a relatively high basicity and satisfactory catalytic activity. The structural investigation results indicated that CCR-500 was composed of carbon material and some alkaline mineral salts. Using CCR-500 as the catalyst, a glycerol conversion of 98.1% and a GC yield of 94.1% were achieved when the reaction was performed at 80 °C for 90 min, with a catalyst amount of 3 wt% and glycerol to DMC molar ratio of 1:3. The comparison of CCR-500 with the reported catalysts indicated that the CCR-500 was a low-cost, high-active, and easily-accessible catalyst for the transesterification of glycerol with DMC.