Selective oxidation of glycerol with oxygen using mono and bimetallic catalysts based on Au, Pd and Pt metals

The liquid phase oxidation of glycerol with oxygen has been studied using a series of monometallic and bimetallic catalysts based on Au, Pd and Pt metals supported on carbon, in order to study the effect of the metal on the distribution of the products. It was found that by using bimetallic catalysts (Au-Pd, Au-Pt) the distribution of the products could be controlled. Moreover, bimetallic catalysts were by far more active than monometallic catalysts. Selectivity could be tuned by using different preparation method.