Efficient conversion of microcrystalline cellulose to 1,2-alkanediols over supported Ni catalysts

Nickel supported on a variety of supports was evaluated in the batchwise hydrogenolysis of high-crystalline cellulose under hydrothermal conditions. The supports examined included Al2O3, kieselguhr, TiO2, SiO2, activated carbon (AC), ZnO, ZrO2 and MgO. All tested catalysts can effectively convert cellulose while the choice of supports plays a critical role in the product distribution and selectivity. The Ni catalysts favour the formation of industrially attractive 1,2-alkanediols such as 1,2-propanediol, ethylene glycol, 1,2-butanediol and 1,2-hexanediol. It was found that the bifunctional ZnO-supported Ni catalysts displayed superior activities and the best result was obtained on 20% Ni/ZnO which exhibited complete conversion of cellulose with up to 70.4% total glycol yields. The mechanism of the reaction involved was tentatively proposed by identifying the products formed.