Synthesis of Glycerol Carbonate via Alcoholysis of Urea with Glycerol: Current Status and Future Prospects

Glycerol carbonate is an important chemical in industrial chemistry.It could be synthesized from glycerol, which is a byproduct in the biodieselproduction process. Alcoholysis of urea with glycerol is a promising approach for thesynthesis of glycerol carbonate. Catalysts are indispensable for the reaction ofalcoholysis of urea with glycerol. Summarizing the developed catalysts andunraveling the reaction mechanisms pave pathways to the rational design of bettercatalysts in the future. In this paper, the current status of Zn-based catalysts, La-based catalysts, Sn-based catalysts, hydrotalcite, and ionic liquids, as well as severalother catalysts in alcoholysis of urea with glycerol is reviewed; in addition, thechallenges and opportunities are noted and its future is prospected, with the aim tomove this researchfield forward.