Continuous production of 1,2‐propanediol by the selective hydrogenolysis of solvent‐free glycerol under mild conditions

BACKGROUND: The conversion of glycerol to value‐added derivatives is now critical, owing to the large surplus of glycerol from biodiesel production. The main objective of this work is to develop a novel process for converting solvent‐free glycerol to 1,2‐propanediol. RESULTS: Several catalysts were screened for aqueous‐phase hydrogenolysis of glycerol in an autoclave. The most effective catalysts (Ni/Al₂O₃, Cu/ZnO/Al₂O₃) were further tested for vapor phase hydrogenolysis in a fixed‐bed. Ni/Al₂O₃ did not prove as effective for the production of 1,2‐propanediol because of the high selectivity to CH₄ and CO. Over Cu/ZnO/Al₂O₃, glycerol was mainly converted to the desired 1,2‐propanediol and the reaction intermediate acetol. The production of 1,2‐propanediol was favoured at higher hydrogen pressure. At 190 °C and 0.64 MPa, near complete conversion of glycerol was achieved with 1,2‐propanediol selectivity up to 92%. In addition, a higher concentration (between 43.4% and 0.8%) of acetol was detected and an approximately stoichiometric relationship was found between acetol and 1,2‐propanediol. CONCLUSION: 1,2‐propanediol can be produced with high yields via the vapor phase hydrogenolysis of glycerol over Cu/ZnO/Al₂O₃. Furthermore, the mechanism of 1,2‐propanediol formation is suggested to proceed mainly through an acetol route over Cu/ZnO/Al₂O₃. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry