Selective Hydrodeoxygenation of Glycerol to 1,2-Propanediol with the Pt/CeO2–ZrO2 Catalyst

Abstract An active and selective catalyst 1%Pt/CeO2–ZrO2 for glycerol hydrodeoxygenation to 1,2-propanediol was synthesized. The reaction was carried out in water under relatively mild conditions: a temperature of 170°C and a hydrogen pressure of 10 atm for 6 h. The glycerol conversion reached 82% with a 74% selectivity to 1,2-propanediol. The high activity and selectivity of the catalyst are due to the high degree of dispersion of supported platinum nanoparticles with a size of less than 2 nm, the optimal Ce : Zr ratio in a mixed oxide support, high specific surface area, and the presence of weak Brønsted acid sites. The presence of zirconium in the mixed oxide support not only gives rise to additional defects in the cerium oxide structure, but also stabilizes the deposited platinum nanoparticles.