Catalytic hydrogenolysis of glycerol into propyl acetate with ruthenium complexes

Abstract

Ru complexes have been utilized as catalyst precursors for glycerol hydrogenolysis under mild conditions, which gave propyl acetate (PA) as a major product. Notably, the esterification reaction of acetic acid with glycerol can prevent glycerol from polymerization. In(OTf)3 played a critical role in facilitating esterification of glycerol and sequential dehydration, while the Ru complexes' function was hydrogenation. The promoter (FeCl3) can suppress the reduction of Ru complex to Ru particles, improving the catalytic performance. The present catalytic system can give full glycerol conversion and 57% yield of PA. Finally, the reaction pathway was proposed accordingly.