Triacetin Production from Acetylation of Glycerol: A Review

Abstract

Due to its numerous applications, triacetin is regarded as the most valuable acetin when compared to other acetin. Glycerol from biodiesel production and acetic acid are considered as potential reactants for triacetin production due to the worthiness of the reactant price and safety. Acetylation reaction of glycerol and acetic acid generates monoacetin, diacetin and triacetin. Triacetin is a minority product from this reaction, therefore; many techniques are applied to the production process in order to complete high glycerol conversion and high triacetin selectivity. This article review highlighted the influence of operating parameters (molar feed ratio, reaction temperature, catalyst loading and reaction time) to glycerol conversion and acetin selectivity. Additionally, this review also included the gathering of data regarding to the catalyst selection for the acetylation of glycerol and acetic acid to achieve excellent catalytic performance. Keywords—Acetylation reaction, Glycerol, Triacetin, Reaction condition, Acid catalyst