Glycidol syntheses and valorizations: boosting the glycerol biorefinery

The synthesis of bio-based functional molecules and their further conversion to value-added products are among the most investigated research fields within the green chemistry community. In this work, we review the preparation of bio-based glycidol and its use as starting material for other chemicals. Herein, we discuss the catalytic approach for the synthesis of several classes of glycidol-derived organics characterized by relevant industrial applications. In detail, glycidol conversion to 1,2 and 1,3-propanediol, glycerol carbonate, solketal, monoalkyl glyceryl ethers and polymers is reported and future perspectives in this context are proposed.