Examination of acid–base properties of solid catalysts for gas phase dehydration of glycerol: FTIR and adsorption microcalorimetry studies

•Activity of ZrO2 and TiO2 based catalysts in the gas phase dehydration of glycerol.•Determination of surface acidity/basicity by FTIR of CO2 and pyridine.•Relationship of surface acid/base features with selectivity and conversion.•Influence of the nature of basic sites on the selectivity.

Acid–base properties of zirconia and titania based materials were investigated by FTIR spectroscopy of CO2 and pyridine probe molecules adsorption. Catalytic performance of the catalysts was also tested in the gas phase dehydration of glycerol with the intention of investigating relationship between catalytic activity and nature of acidic and basic active sites. Results confirmed preferential Brönsted-acid catalyzed route of acrolein formation. Moreover, clear evidence of the effect of the nature of basic sites to selectively yield acetol was presented, basic OH groups being more selective than basic oxide ions.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (169 K)Download as PowerPoint slide