Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the preparation of glycidol from the thermal decarboxylation of glycerol carbonate. In one aspect, the present invention provides a process for the preparation of glycidol by thermal decarboxylation of glycerol carbonate, said process comprising the steps of: d) contacting liquid glycerol carbonate with a decarboxylation promotor, having a boiling point of at least 160° C. at atmospheric pressure and consisting essentially of an aliphatic mono-ol, an aliphatic polyol, or mixtures thereof, to form a liquid phase mixture; e) applying heat to the liquid phase mixture formed in step a) to induce thermal decarboxylation of the glycerol carbonate; and f) separating glycidol formed in step b) from the liquid phase mixture by evaporation of glycidol; and wherein the process does not comprise the use of a decarboxylation catalyst.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the preparation of glycidol from the thermal decarboxylation of glycerol carbonate. In one aspect, the present invention provides a process for the preparation of glycidol by thermal decarboxylation of glycerol carbonate, said process comprising the steps of: d) contacting liquid glycerol carbonate with a decarboxylation promotor, having a boiling point of at least 160° C. at atmospheric pressure and consisting essentially of an aliphatic mono-ol, an aliphatic polyol, or mixtures thereof, to form a liquid phase mixture; e) applying heat to the liquid phase mixture formed in step a) to induce thermal decarboxylation of the glycerol carbonate; and f) separating glycidol formed in step b) from the liquid phase mixture by evaporation of glycidol; and wherein the process does not comprise the use of a decarboxylation catalyst.