Selective Hydrogenolysis of Glycerol Over Cu-ZrO2-MgO Catalysts

Cu-ZrO2-MgO catalysts with varying Cu and ZrO2 weight ratios were prepared by co-precipitation method. The catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction, temperature programmed reduction, BET surface area, TPD of CO2 and N2O chemisorption. The catalysts were studied for selective hydrogenolysis of glycerol. The catalysts hydrogenolysis activity was related to the number available Cu sites on the support and moderate basicity of the catalysts. The catalyst with 20 %Cu-10 %ZrO2-MgO gave about 62 % of glycerol conversion with 97 % selectivity towards 1,2-propanediol. The effects of reaction temperature, hydrogen pressure, glycerol concentration and reaction time were also studied for the optimization of reaction conditions. A detailed kinetic study was also elucidated. [GRAPHICS]