Glycerol Esterification to Glyceryl Diacetate over SO42−/W‐Zr Complex Solid Super Acid Catalysts.

A series of SO42−/W−Zr catalysts with different W/Zr mole ratios were synthesized by solvent evaporation self‐assembly followed by impregnation of sulfuric acid. The catalysts were examined in the glycerol esterification with acetic acid, and fully characterized by XRD, BET, TEM, XPS, NH3‐TPD, H2O‐TPD and pyridine adsorption infrared spectroscopy. The results revealed that W/Zr mole ratio and calcination temperature significantly affected the structure, acidity and catalytic performance of the catalysts. SO42−/W−Zr(1:1)‐500 (with a W/Zr mole ratio of 1:1, calcined at 500 °C) exhibited the highest catalytic activity, which is mainly due to the fact that the catalyst had more acidic sites and good water tolerance. In addition, the catalyst also showed excellent recyclability, in five repeated runs the conversion of glycerol and yields of products remained stable. SO42−/W−Zr complex solid super acid catalysts with different Zr/Al mol ratios were synthesized by solvent evaporation self‐assembly followed by impregnation of sulfuric acid and used in the esterification of glycerol with acetic acid to glyceryl diacetate. SO42−/W−Zr(1:1)‐500 (with a W/Zr mole ratio of 1:1, calcined at 500 °C) exhibited high activity, selectivity, and excellent recyclability, owing to its abundant acidic sites and good water tolerance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]