Selective transformation of glucose into propylene glycol on Ru/C catalysts combined with ZnO under low hydrogen pressures

- Ru/C combined with ZnO was employed for the transformation of glucose.
- Propylene glycol was obtained in 38.1% yield under a hydrogen pressure of 0.4 MPa.
- Solid acid-base catalysts and noble metal catalysts were screened.
- ZnO promoted isomerization and retro-aldol steps, while Ru promoted hydrogenation.