Catalytic Synthesis of Methyl Glycolate from Glyoxal Methanol Solution over Base Catalysts

The process of obtaining methyl glycolate from a methanolic solution of glyoxal over solid basic catalysts based on mixed oxides of magnesium, zirconium, and aluminum has been studied. According to obtained results, the selectivity of the methyl glycolate formation increases with increasing the basicity of the catalyst. The most selective coprecipitated MgO-ZrO2 provides almost 100 % methyl glycolate yield. The supported MgO-ZrO2/Al2O3 gives to 95 % yield of methyl glycolate with the formation of the glyoxal dimethyl acetal as a by-product. This catalyst could be reused several consecutive cycles without the need for intermediate regeneration. Methyl glycolate in a high 93 % yield can be obtained at 453 K over this solid catalyst in flow mode, which may be of practical interest.