Synthesis of glycidol by decarboxylation of glycerol carbonate over Zn-La catalysts with different molar ratio

Zinc-Lanthanum (Zn-La) mixed oxides are prepared with different molar ratios and used as catalysts for the synthesis of glycidol by decarboxylation of glycerol carbonate. The prepared catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), N₂ adsorption-desorption and NH₃/CO₂ thermal programmed desorption (TPD) methods. The XRD patterns show that Zn-La mixed oxide exhibit both ZnO and La₂O₃ phases, mixed metal oxides are better in terms of specific surface area and porosity compared to pure metal oxide. From the TPD results, it observed that the ratio of acid/base site on the prepared catalyst is closer to 1 with increase of La molar. The catalytic performance of Zn-La catalysts was strongly dependent on their molar ratio; the highest glycidol yield was observed 76.22% with Zn/La = 1/9 catalyst. Above these results, acidic and basic properties of prepared catalyst were considered to play an important role in the synthesis of glycidol by decarboxylation of glycerol carbonate.