Glycerol-derived solvents: Synthesis and properties of symmetric glyceryl diethers

Abstract

Herein we report a systematic study of the synthesis of symmetric glyceryl diethers from epichlorohydrin and different alcohols. Several inexpensive alkaline hydroxides were tested, and total conversions of epichlorohydrin were achieved. Although high yields of the desired products were possible, the final selectivity of the reaction depends strongly on the alcohol used. Eleven symmetric glyceryl diethers were prepared employing this synthetic methodology and, in order to determine their usefulness as solvents, their physicochemical properties (density, dielectric permittivity, refractive index, viscosity, surface tension, and boiling point) were measured and compared with those for similar conventional solvents. The results obtained prove the utility of these compounds as a green alternative to solvents obtained from nonrenewable sources.