A Prolific Catalyst for Selective Conversion of Neat Glycerol to Lactic Acid

We
report the synthesis and reactivity of a very robust iridium
catalyst for glycerol to lactate conversion. The high reactivity and
selectivity of this catalyst enable a sequence for the conversion
of biodiesel waste stream to lactide monomers for the preparation
of poly­(lactic acid). Furthermore, experimental data collected with
this system provide a general understanding of its reactive mechanism.