Valorization of bio-renewable glycerol by catalytic amination reactions

Abstract

Production of value-added chemicals from renewable feedstocks is an attractive platform to alleviate the shortage of petroleum resources and to minimize CO₂ emissions. Among different renewable feedstocks, glycerol is an organic triol molecule that is produced from triglycerides of plant and animal sources. This alcohol is produced as the main by-product in a large quantity of about 10% (w/w) in biodiesel production. In addition to its applications in food industries, and medicinal and personal care products, the utilization of glycerol as a key raw material in organic synthesis has garnered significant attention. As an example, selected technologies for the conversion of glycerol into other essential chemicals such as acrylic acid, 1,2-propanediol, glycerol carbonate, epichlorohydrin, and solketal have been well developed. In recent years, glycerol has also been used as the key starting material for the synthesis of amines in laboratories. In general amines are important fine and bulk chemicals used as central precursors and intermediates for advanced chemicals and many life science molecules including pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. In the last five years, some key advancements have been made using glycerol in carbon–nitrogen bond-forming processes to prepare different kinds of amine in the presence of suitable catalytic systems. Based on the advantages of glycerol including its derived molecules as feedstocks and the importance of amines, we believe it is worthwhile to write a review summarizing the recent reports on glycerol amination and related reactions. In this regard, this review article discusses the latest developments in catalytic amination reactions using glycerol and its tangible applications in modern organic synthesis. We believe that this review will be interesting and beneficial to scientists working in the areas of catalytic utilization of glycerol aminations and valorization of renewable feedstocks.