Process for the preparation of glycerol carbonate

A process for preparing glycerol carbonate comprising the steps of:

• (i) in a first reaction zone in the presence of a homogeneous transesterification catalyst, contacting and partially reacting a glycerol reactant stream with at least one member of a group consisting of:
• a) a dialkyl carbonate reactant stream, comprising greater than 80 wt. % dialkyl carbonate, and b) a cyclic alkylene carbonate reactant stream, comprising greater than 80 wt. % cyclic alkylene carbonate;
• (ii) separating at least a portion of the alcohol by-product formed from the reaction in step (i) from the reaction mixture so as to obtain an alcohol-containing by-product stream;
• (iii) reacting at least a portion of the remaining reactants in a second reaction zone in the presence of the homogeneous transesterification catalyst;
• and
• (iv) obtaining a glycerol carbonate product stream.