Glycerol valorization. Development of selective protocols for acetals production through tailor-made macroreticular acid resins

Bio-based glycerol and aldehydes have been valorized by acetalization reaction over novel macroporous sulfonated polystyrene-type resins (MR-SP20-SO3H and MR-SP50-SO3H). The influence of reactants molar ratio, catalyst amount, temperature, and reaction time on the activity and selectivity to acetals have been investigated. Results showed that MR-SP20-SO3H and MR-SP50-SO3H confirm a high performance in the acetalization of the glycerol derivatives 1,2- propandiol, 1,3-propandiol, 3-methoxy-1,2-propandiol and monoacetin; these catalytic systems enable recover and reuse.