A novel carbon catalyst with -SO(3)H, -OH and -COOH functional groups was prepared from glycerol pitch by in situ partial carbonization and sulfonation with sulfuric acid. The activity of the catalyst was investigated through tetrahydropyranylation and dehydropyranylation of a wide variety of alcohols and phenols at room temperature by changing the solvent medium from dichloromethane to methanol. Excellent yields, short reaction times, easy and quick isolation of the products and reusability of the catalyst are the main attractions of this method. The novel carbon catalyst holds great potential in the green chemical processes. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.