Aqueous phase hydrogenolysis of glycerol to bio-propylene glycol over Pt-Sn catalysts

► Bimetallic catalysts were prepared by selective hydrogenolysis of Sn(n-C4H9)4 on Pt. ► PtSn catalysts with Sn content of 0.12-0.42 wt.% resulted active and selective to obtain bio-propylene glycol. ► At 200 °C under N2 pressure, the highest yield is obtained with Sn content of 0.12 wt.%. ► The presence of Sn+n would facilitate the C-OH adsorption and C-O cleavage.