In this work we present the results of glycerol etherification with benzyl alcohol, catalyzed by different solid acids. The mono-benzyl-glycerol ether was the main product in the reactions catalyzed by β zeolite and Amberlyst-35 acid resin, whereas di-benzyl-ether was formed in higher yield with the use of p-toluene-sulfonic acid and K-10 montmorillonite as catalyst. Niobic acid was inactive in this reaction. The porous structure of the zeolite impaired the formation of di and tri-benzyl-glycerol ethers.
glycerol; solid acids; etherification
