Hydrogenolysis of Glycerol to 1,2-Propanediol over Ru-Cu Bimetals Supported on Different Supports

Glycerol is a low-cost and renewable resource, and its utilization is of great interest for chemical industry and sustainable development. In this work, a series of RuCu bimetallic catalysts were prepared using different supports in an attempt to develop highly efficient catalysts. Hydrogenolysis of aqueous solution of glycerol was performed with the supported RuCu catalysts. The bimetallic catalysts were very efficient for catalyzing the hydrogenolysis of glycerol compared with the corresponding monometallic catalysts. One hundred percent of glycerol conversion and 78.5% of 1,2-propanediol yield could be achieved at 180 degrees C and 8?MPa.