Glycerol hydrogenolysis to 1,2-propanediol catalyzed by a heat-resistant ion-exchange resin combined with Ru/C

The combination of Ru/C with Amberlyst ion-exchange resins was effective to the hydrogenolysis of glycerol to 1,2-propanediol. The difference between Amberlyst15 and 70 in performance was small at 393 K, however, it became larger at higher reaction temperature. This can be related to the highest operating temperature of the resins. This can be explained by the poisoning of Ru/C with the sulfur compounds originated from the thermal decomposition of the resins. The Ru/C + heat-resistant Amberlyst70, whose highest operating temperature is 463 K, showed higher conversion, selectivity to 1,2-propanediol and stability at 453 K. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.