Selective oxidation of glycerol with O2 catalyzed by low-cost CuNiAl hydrotalcites

•Reaction was performed over low-cost transition metal catalysts.•Heterogeneous catalysis and recyclability of the catalyst.•Conversion of glycerol reached 68.1% with 76% of the selectivity to glyceric acid.

A series of CuNiAl hydrotalcites (HTs) were prepared and used to the selective oxidation of glycerol with O2. The results revealed that elemental composition, structures and the surface properties of the obtained catalysts significantly influenced their catalytic performance. Among them, amino-functionalized CuNiAl-HTs showed excellent catalytic performance due to their enhanced surface Lewis basicity. Under the optimal reaction conditions, the highest conversion of glycerol reached 68.1% with 76% of the selectivity to glyceric acid; moreover, the catalytic performance remained after being recycled 6 times.

Graphical abstractAmino modified CuNiAl-HTs were promising catalysts for the selective oxidation of glycerol to glyceric acid with O2. This could be attributed to the synergistic effect of Cu species, Lewis base sites (surface amino groups of catalysts) and Bronsted base sites (surface free silanols of catalysts as well as the hydroxide ions of NaOH) on the hydrophobic surface of catalysts. The best glycerol conversion reached 68.1% with 76% of the selectivity to glyceric acid.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (118 K)Download as PowerPoint slide