Synthesis of glycerol triacetate over composite solid super acid catalyst SO_4~(2-)/ZrO_2-TiO_2

SO_42-/ZrO_2-TiO_2 solid super acid was prepared and used as the catalyst for synthesis of glycerol triacetate(TCG) from glycerol and acetic acid.Upon improvement on the synthesis process,use of hazardous water-carrying agent was eliminated.The optimal conditions for preparation of the catalyst and synthesis of TCG were as follows: concentration of sulphuric acid impregnation solution =(0.50-0.55) mol·L-1;calcination temperature(550-600) ℃;catalyst dosage 2.0%-2.5%(mass fraction upon basis of the feed);n(glycerol)∶n(acetic acid)=1∶5.5;reaction temperature 130 ℃,reflux reaction time 3 h.TCG yield of 93.6% was obtained under the optimal condition.The catalyst could be used for six times with easy regeneration.