A review on preparation and applications of glycerol carbonate: Focus biocatalysis

Glycerol is a by-product of the biodiesel production processes. It is a potential polyol employed for the preparation of glycerol carbonate. Enzymatic methods for glycerol carbonate syntheses are important since biocatalysts are selective, operate under mild conditions and can be reused. Biocatalytic synthesis of glycerol carbonate is not reviewed thus far even though biocatalysis is an indispensable tool in chemical and life sciences industries. In this contribution, enzymatic preparation of glycerol carbonate is discussed from glycerol and glycerides based feedstock. In addition, role of molecular sieves for the adsorption of methanol and in the synthesis of glycerol carbonate is described. Also, emphasis is placed on the ultrasound assisted enzymatic synthesis of glycerol carbonate, lipase mechanism, glycerol carbonate synthesis from circular economy context, comparison between chemical and enzymatic methods and industrially relevant methods. Furthermore, key applications of glycerol carbonate where biocatalysis is applied are presented along with future directions and challenges.