Hydrogenolysis of glycerol to 1,2-propanediol over Cu-based catalysts: A short review

Abstract

Glycerol is one of the most attractive platform chemicals and catalytic upgrading of glycerol to valuable products is of great importance. In the past decade, synthesis of 1,2-propanediol (1,2-PDO) from renewable glycerol has attracted attentions of many scientists. In this review, the performance and recent progress of those typical and popularly reported catalysts, such as Ru-, Pt-based noble metals, Co, Ni, copper-chromite, Cu/ZnO, Cu/Al2O3, Cu/SiO2, Cu/MgO and homogenously dispersed Cu in solid base, in the synthesis of 1,2-PDO from glycerol were summarized in detail. The reaction mechanism over noble metals and Cu-based catalysts were discussed. At the same time, hydrogenolysis of glycerol via catalytic transfer hydrogenation, and the relationship between structure and performance of Cu-based catalyst in continuous hydrogenolysis of glycerol in vapor phase were also compared.