Selective oxidation of glycerol to dihydroxyacetone over a Pd-Ag catalyst

Glycerol oxidation with molecular oxygen was conducted using Pd-based catalysts under neutral conditions. Pd-Ag/C showed higher selectivity to dihydroxyacetone (DHA) and higher activity than Pd/C. The DHA yield reached 44% at 52% glycerol conversion over Pd-Ag/C (Ag/Pd = 1). The Pd-Ag alloy phase is responsible for the high activity and DHA selectivity.