Synthesis of 1,2-propanediol through glycerol hydrogenolysis on Cu-Al mixed oxides

Cu-Al mixed oxides derived from hydrotalcite-like precursors having an atomic ratio of 3:1 and calcined at 300, 400, and 500 °C were synthesized. The samples were further reduced under hydrogen atmosphere and its catalytic activity was tested in glycerol hydrogenolysis in a batch reactor. Several techniques such as N₂ physisorption, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy were used in order to characterize the synthesized mixed oxides. The most active catalyst in the glycerol hydrogenolysis was that calcined at 500 °C. Reaction variables were analyzed in order to determine their influence on glycerol hydrogenolysis.