The application of electrodialysis in synthesis of oligoglycerols from glycerol and epichlorohydrin via Williamson reaction

The effectiveness of electrodialytic (ED) desalination of an exemplary oligoglycerols synthesis post-reaction mixture prepared by a typical Williamson ether synthesis route was examined. The mixture, prepared using a previously reported method, contained water, unreacted glycerol, di-, tri- and tetraglycerols as well as approx. 5% of KCl. The effect of ED voltage on desalination efficiency, water and glycerol transport rates are discussed, and expected ED energy consumption was calculated. It was shown that ED was successfully utilized in the desalination of the post-reaction mixtures in question; its application allows for production of individual oligoglycerols with low chloride content.