Synthesis of Zn/Al mixed-oxide catalyst for carbonylation of glycerol with urea

Zn/Al mixed oxide was prepared by the coprecipitation or the hydrothermal method under different conditions and used as catalyst for synthesis of glycerol carbonate by carbonylation of glycerol with urea. The physical properties of the prepared Zn/Al mixed oxide particles were investigated, as well as their activity as catalyst in the mentioned synthesis. The dried Zn/Al mixed-oxide particles prepared by the coprecipitation method showed higher activity in synthesis of glycerol carbonate than those prepared by the hydrothermal method. The Zn/Al mixed oxide prepared by the coprecipitation method without NaNO3 showed the highest catalytic activity in synthesis of glycerol carbonate.