<p>A series of transition metal sulfates and rare earth metal sulfates were synthesized and employed as catalysts for the catalytic alcoholysis reaction of glycerol with urea to produce glyceryl carbonate. The optimal catalytic conditions were explored and the catalytic performance of various metal sulfates were compared. Compared with bivalent metal salts, trivalent metal sulfates showed higher catalytic activity, with La₂(SO₄)₃ demonstrating the highest catalytic performance in particular. By analyzing the ammonia absorption capacity of divalent metal salts and the thermal decomposition performance of metal coordination compounds, it was found that ZnSO₄ exhibited the highest ammonia absorption capacity, consistent with the catalytic activity of ZnSO₄. The activation energy for the decomposition of Cu(NH₃)₄SO₄·H₂O to Cu(NH₃)SO₄·H₂O was lower than that of Ni(NH₃)₆SO₄ to Ni(NH₃)₂SO₄, indicating that Cu²⁺ is more easily separated from –NH₂ group in urea during the catalysis process. This finding aligns with the observed catalytic activity of the metal salts.</p> Graphical Abstract <p></p>