Hydrogenolysis of polyalcohols in the presence of metal phosphide catalysts

•Carbon supported metal phosphides catalyze hydrogenolysis of polyols.•Nickel phosphides produce high yields of glycols.•Tungsten doped Ni2P catalysts are active for glucose hydrogenolysis.•Highly active are tungsten phosphides doped with nickel.•Activity of Ni2P is comparable to noble metals.

Metal phosphides Ni2P, CoP, Cu3P, Fe2P, WP supported on carbon were prepared and tested in the hydrogenolysis of polyalcohols, especially glucose, sorbitol and xylitol to ethylene and propylene glycols as the main products. Supported metal phosphides were prepared by the reduction of corresponding metal precursors impregnated on the carbon in a flow of hydrogen at various temperatures. The effect of temperature on the process of reduction of metal precursors was followed by the XRD analysis. The highest catalytic activity and selectivity possess nickel phosphide and nickel doped tungsten phosphide supported on activated carbon prepared by reduction at 650 °C. In the presence of Ni2P catalyst sorbitol and xylitol are hydrogenolyzed to EG and PG with the yields of 17 and 29 mol.% and 28 and 43 mol.%, respectively. Nickel phosphide catalyst doped with tungsten is highly active also in the hydrogenolysis of glucose to EG. It is assumed, that the catalytic activity of nickel phosphides for hydrogenolysis of polyalcohols is comparable with some carbon supported noble metal catalysts.

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