Promoting effect of Ru on Ir-ReOx/SiO2 catalyst in hydrogenolysis of glycerol

• Ru-added Ir-ReOx/SiO2 catalysts were effective for the glycerol hydrogenolysis.
• 1-Propanol and propanols were obtained in 71% and 84% yields, respectively.
• Ir-ReOx and Ru-ReOx separately exist on SiO2.
• The main active sites of Ru-added Ir-ReOx/SiO2 are on Ir-ReOx.
• Spillover of H species generated on Ru-ReOx increased active species on Ir-ReOx.

Ru-added Ir-ReOx/SiO2 catalysts worked as efficient catalysts for the selective hydrogenolysis of glycerol to 1,3-propanediol and 1-propanol. 0.9 wt% Ru-added Ir-ReOx/SiO2 catalyst demonstrated high activity for the hydrogenolysis of glycerol to 1,3-propanediol with high selectivity comparative to Ir-ReOx/SiO2. In addition, 4.4 wt% Ru-added Ir-ReOx/SiO2 catalyst with H2SO4aq showed high activity for the selective hydrogenolysis of glycerol to 1-propanol, and the yields of 1-propanol and total propanols (1-propanol + 2-propanol) were 71% and 84%, respectively. On the basis of various analyses such as TPR (temperature-programmed reduction), XRD, XAFS and CO adsorption, the structure and reaction mechanism of Ru-added Ir-ReOx/SiO2 catalysts were proposed.

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