Preparation of supported POM catalysts for liquid phase oxydehydration of glycerol to acrylic acid

• Glycerol oxydehydration to acrylic acid via Al2O3-supported POM is done at 90 °C.
• Acid strength of Al2O3-supported POM affects glycerol conversion and product yield.
• Glycerol oxydehydration needs weak–strength acid catalyst and high oxidative ability.
• SiW/Al2O3 exhibits the highest glycerol conversion with acrylic acid yield of 25%.

A series of alumina-supported polyoxometalate (Al2O3-supported POM) catalysts was prepared by the impregnation method for the liquid phase catalytic oxydehydration of glycerol to acrylic acid in a batch reactor at low temperature (90 °C). The effect of types of polyoxometalate (POM) catalyst (PW, PMo, and SiW) and loading (2–8 wt.%) on the conversion and product yield was investigated. In the presence of Al2O3-supported POM catalyst, besides acrylic acid, various other higher market value products were generated, such as glycolic acid, propanediol, formic acid, acetic acid, and acrolein. The acid strength of Al2O3-supported POM catalysts played an importance role on the conversion and product yield of the oxydehydration of glycerol. Among the utilized Al2O3-supported POM catalysts, SiW/Al2O3 at 4 wt.% loading exhibited the highest glycerol conversion of about 84% with a yield of acrylic acid of around 25%.

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