Selective hydrogenolysis of glycerol to propanediols on supported Cu-containing bimetallic catalysts

Green Chemistry Pub Date: 2010-08-31 DOI: 10.1039/C0GC00058B

Abstract

Supported Cu-containing bimetallic catalysts were prepared and used to convert glycerol to propanediols. The effects of supports, metals, metal loadings, and impregnation sequences were examined. A synergistic effect was observed between Cu and Ag when they were impregnated on γ-Al2O3. Characterizations revealed that the addition of Ag not only resulted in an in situ reduction of CuO, but also improved the dispersion of the Cu species on the support. A CuAg/Al2O3 catalyst with optimal amounts of Cu and Ag (Cu/Ag molar ratio 7?:?3, 2.7 mmol Cu+Ag per gram of γ-Al2O3) showed a near 100% selectivity to propanediols with a glycerol conversion of about 27% under mild reaction conditions (200 °C, 1.5 MPa initial H2 pressure, 10 h, (Cu+Ag)/glycerol molar ratio of 3/100). Compared with a commercial copper chromite catalyst commonly used for this reaction, the CuAg/Al2O3 catalyst had much higher activity and did not need a reduction pretreatment.

Graphical abstract: Selective hydrogenolysis of glycerol to propanediols on supported Cu-containing bimetallic catalysts
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