Catalytic Pathways for the Conversion of Glycerol to Industrial Chemicals

Volume: 12 | Issue: 1 | Year 2026 | Subscription
International Journal of Chemical Separation Technology
Received Date: 02/07/2026
Acceptance Date: 02/16/2026
Published On: 2026-03-21
First Page: 16
Last Page: 22

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By: Shivani S. K and Indra Neel Pulidindi.

Student, Department of Ear, Nose and Throat, Saveetha Medical College (SMC) and Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Assistant Professor, Department of Ear, Nose and Throat, Saveetha Medical College (SMC) and Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

Abstract

*Author for CorrespondenceIndra Neel PulidindiE-mail: [email protected] 1Student, Department of Ear, Nose and Throat, Saveetha Medical College (SMC) and Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India2Assistant Professor, Department of Ear, Nose and Throat, Saveetha Medical College (SMC) and Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India Received Date: February 07, 2026Accepted Date: February 16, 2026Published Date: March 21, 2026 Citation: Shivani S. K., Indra Neel Pulidindi. Catalytic Pathways for the Conversion of Glycerol to Industrial Chemicals.International Journal of Chemical Separation Technology. 2026; 12(1): 16–22p.

Glycerol valorization is of strategic importance. Key platform chemicals, like lactic acid, a precursor to polylactic acid, and another prominent monomer of the polymer industry, namely acrolein, can be produced from this molecule with three hydroxy groups. Glycerol is one of the 12 platform chemicals identified by the US Department of Energy, serving as a building block for various other molecules of relevance to the polymer industry owing to its high degree of oxygen functionality. Recent research published between 2021 and 2026 demonstrates significant advance in the application of advanced heterogeneous catalysts for the catalytic conversion of glycerol into value-added chemicals. The compiled results clearly show the effectiveness of solid acid catalysts, solid base catalysts, and metal-supported catalysts in directing glycerol transformation through dehydration, oxidation, reforming, and hydrogenolysis pathways under a wide range of reaction conditions. High glycerol conversions, in several cases in the range of 90–99%, have been achieved depending on catalyst composition, metal loading, support characteristics, and operating parameters such as temperature, pressure, and reaction time. Solid acid catalysts, particularly vanadium- and niobium-based oxide systems, exhibit outstanding activity for glycerol dehydration, producing acrolein as the primary product with selectivities above 70% at elevated temperatures. The near-complete glycerol conversion observed over these catalysts confirms the crucial role of surface acidity in promoting selective dehydration reactions. In contrast, solid base catalysts and base-assisted metal catalysts demonstrate excellent performance for lactic acid production, achieving glycerol conversions greater than 90% with lactic acid selectivities reaching up to 90% under optimized reaction conditions. Furthermore, metal-supported catalysts, such as Au, Pt, Pd, and Cu, supported on oxide or carbon materials enable selective oxidation and reforming reactions, yielding products including dihydroxyacetone, glyceric acid, hydrogen, and propanediols. Thus, the current insightful review provides the latest developments in the field in a nutshell with recommendations of the best catalytic pathways for producing the desired target molecules like acrolein, lactic acid, and dihydroxyacetone.

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How to cite this article: Shivani S. K and Indra Neel Pulidindi Catalytic Pathways for the Conversion of Glycerol to Industrial Chemicals. International Journal of Chemical Separation Technology. 2026; 12(1): 16-22p.

How to cite this URL: Shivani S. K and Indra Neel Pulidindi, Catalytic Pathways for the Conversion of Glycerol to Industrial Chemicals. International Journal of Chemical Separation Technology. 2026; 12(1): 16-22p. Available from:https://journalspub.com/publication/ijcst/article=25149

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