Synthesis of Glycolic Acid from Glyoxal by Using Hydrotalcite Catalyst and Kinetic Studies

Abstract In this work, Mg‐Al hydrotalcite catalysts with different molar ratios were prepared using the co‐precipitation method for the synthesis of glycolic acid (GA) from glyoxal. Various reaction parameters such as catalyst molar ratio, time, temperature, catalyst loading, and catalyst poisoning were studied and optimized for better conversion of glyoxal selectively to glycolic acid. Hydrotalcite catalyst with a 2:1 molar ratio of Mg: Al gives 98% conversion of glyoxal with 96% selectivity of glycolic acid at 100 °C temperature, 40% catalyst loading, and water as solvent in 8 h. Different characterization methods were used such as XRD, XPS, SEM‐EDX, nitrogen adsorption desorption, and CO 2 ‐TPD for hydrotalcite catalyst. A kinetic study was also performed to observe the reaction order and activation energy required for the reaction.