Selective synthesis of 1-O-alkyl(poly)glycerol ethers by catalytic reductive alkylation of carboxylic acids with a recyclable catalytic system.

(Poly)glycerol monoethers were synthesized in good yield and selectivity by the catalytic reductive alkylation of glycerol, diglycerol, and triglycerol with readily available, cheap and/or bio-sourced carboxylic acids. The reaction was catalyzed by 1 mol % of Pd/C under 50 bar H(2) using an acid ion-exchange resin as a recyclable cocatalyst. The catalytic system was recycled several times, and a mechanism is proposed for this transformation.