Sorbitol hydrogenolysis to glycols by supported ruthenium catalysts

Supported Ru catalysts were prepared by wet impregnation to evaluate the role of different oxide supports (Al2O3, SiO2, TiO2, ZrO2) in sorbitol hydrogenolysis to glycols. X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, hydrogen chemisorption, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and NH3 temperature-programmed desorption were used to characterize the catalysts, which were active in the hydrogenolysis of sorbitol. The support affected both the physicochemical properties and catalytic behavior of the supported Ru particles. The characterization results revealed that the Ru/Al2O3 catalyst has a high surface acidity, partially oxidized Ru species on the surface, and a higher surface Ru/Al atomic ratio, which gave it the highest selectivity and yield to glycols. (C) 2014, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.