Kinetic Model of the 1,2-Propanediol Oxidation Reaction in the Presence of 3wt%Pd/α-Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> Catalyst

Abstract

Supported 3wt%Pd/α-Al₂O₃ catalyst was tested in selective oxidation of 1,2-propanediol by molecular oxygen. It was found that the catalyst is active in an alkaline water solution. Lactic acid was obtained as the main product of the reaction. Influence of different reaction conditions on 1,2-PDO conversion and oxidation process selectivity was studied. Partial kinetic orders of the reaction with respect to 1,2-propanediol, c0(NaOH), p(O2), n(1,2-PDO)/n(Pd)) were determined and an experimental kinetic model of the catalytic oxidation reaction was obtained. Activation energy of the process was calculated and was found to be about 53 ± 5 kJ/mol.