The transesterification reaction between glycerol and DMC
is unfavored thermodynamically and must be catalyzed by a
base. NaOH and K2CO3 exhibit higher glycerol conversions,
but result in the formation of large amounts of byproduct. NaY
zeolite exhibited excellent performance for this reaction among
the tested solid bases as only GC formed even at higher glycerol
conversion, and NaY zeolite could be recycled. The excellent
performance of NaY can be attributed to its larger pore
diameter and higher number of base sites.