Catalytic Conversion of Cellulose to Ethylene Glycol over Tungsten Phosphide Catalysts

Tungsten phosphide (WP) showed good activity in the selective conversion of cellulose to ethylene glycol (EG). At a H2 initial pressure of 6 MPa and temperature of 245 °C, EG yield reached 25.4 mol% over 20%WP/AC (activated carbon) and 46.0 mol% over 2%Ni-20%WP/AC, which demonstrated a remarkable synergy between Ni and WP.