Surface properties of Cu/La2O3 and its catalytic performance in the synthesis of glycerol carbonate and monoacetin from glycerol and carbon dioxide.

Highlights: [•] Cu/La2O3 exhibited high catalytic activity for the formation of glycerol carbonate. [•] CH3CN worked as dehydrating reagent to break thermodynamic equilibrium. [•] The Cu metal sites and basic sites of affected the activity Cu/La2O3 significantly. [•] TOF decreased dramatically with the increase in Cu particle size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]