Synthesis of Propylene Glycol from Propylene Oxide by Hydrolysis over Green Catalyst of Solid Strong Base

Seven solid base catalysts with different base strength were prepared and used in the synthesis of propylene glycol by hydrolysis of propylene oxide.It was found that the conversion of propylene oxide increased with the increasing base strength of the catalyst.CaO-ZrO2exhibited high catalytic activity.Under the optimal reaction conditions:w(catalyst)=1.0%,temperature 120 ℃,n(H2O)∶n(PO)=5∶1 and 2 h,the conversion of propylene oxide and the selectivity to propylene glycol reached 92.3% and 89.4%,respectively.