Hydrogenolysis of glycerol to propanediol over Ru: Polyoxometalate bifunctional catalyst

Ruthenium-doped (5 wt%) acidic heteropoly salt Cs2.5H0.5[PW12O40] (CsPW) is an active bifunctional catalyst for the one-pot hydrogenolysis of glycerol to 1,2-propanediol (1,2-PDO) in liquid phase, providing 96% selectivity to 1,2-PDO at 21% glycerol conversion at 150 degrees C and an unprecedented low hydrogen pressure of 5 bar. Rhodium catalyst, 5%Rh/CsPW, although less active, shows considerable selectivity to 1,3-PDO (7.1%), with 1,2-PDO being the main product (65%).