A study of glycerol hydrogenolysis over Ru–Cu/Al2O3 and Ru–Cu/ZrO2 catalysts

• Ru–Cu/Al2O3 and Ru–Cu/ZrO2 have been investigated in glycerol hydrogenolysis.
• Ru–Cu/ZrO2 displayed higher turnover frequencies.
• Ru–Cu/ZrO2 was more selective for 1,2 propanediol.
• Optimum Ru/Cu ratio was obtained.

This work focuses on the activity, selectivity, and characterization of alumina and zirconia supported Ru(2.5% wt.)–Cu(2.5% wt.) bimetallic catalysts to produce 1,2-propanediol (1,2-PDO) from glycerol hydrogenolysis. Characterization techniques included XRD, BET, TEM, H2 chemisorption, TPR and DRIFTS. Turnover frequencies were obtained for batch reactions ran at different temperatures. At 473 K and 2.5 MPa of dihydrogen, a conversion of 45% of glycerol with 94% selectivity toward 1,2-PDO was found when the Ru(2.5% wt.)–Cu(2.5% wt.)/Al2O3 was used. Recycle experiments were done for the monometallic catalysts, in which Ru/Al2O3 showed a better performance.

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