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

• Published in: Green chemistry : an international journal and green chemistry resource : GC Vol. 12; no. 1; pp. 1835 - 1843
• Main Authors: Zhou, Jinxia, Guo, Liyuan, Guo, Xinwen, Mao, Jingbo, Zhang, Shuguang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge Royal Society of Chemistry 01.01.2010
• Subjects: Catalysis; Catalysts: preparations and properties; Chemistry; Exact sciences and technology; General and physical chemistry; Theory of reactions, general kinetics. Catalysis. Nomenclature, chemical documentation, computer chemistry; Mixed catalyst; Mild operating conditions; Hydrogenolysis; Glycerol; Transition metal; Selectivity; Characterization; Silver; Impregnation; Copper; Copper oxide; Chemical synthesis; Alumina
• ISSN: 1463-9262; 1463-9270
• DOI: 10.1039/c0gc00058b

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-Al 2 O 3 . 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/Al 2 O 3 catalyst with optimal amounts of Cu and Ag (Cu/Ag molar ratio 7 : 3, 2.7 mmol Cu+Ag per gram of γ-Al 2 O 3 ) showed a near 100% selectivity to propanediols with a glycerol conversion of about 27% under mild reaction conditions (200 °C, 1.5 MPa initial H 2 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/Al 2 O 3 catalyst had much higher activity and did not need a reduction pretreatment. Excellent performance for glycerol hydrogenolysis to propanediols was achieved on a CuAg/Al 2 O 3 catalyst without pre-reduction.