Heterogeneous catalysts comprising of parent Keggin type silicotungstate as well as monolacunary silicotungstate anchored to MCM-41 were synthesized and characterized by several physicochemical methods. A solvent free green route towards valorisation of glycerol via acetalization with benzaldehyde has been proposed. Both the catalysts showed very good activity as well as selectivity towards dioxolane derivatives within a short ...