Platinum supported on H-mordenite: a highly efficient catalyst for selective hydrogenolysis of glycerol to 1,3-propanediol

The selective production of 1,3-propanediol from glycerol under mild reaction conditions is of high interest. The current work describes the use of a highly selective catalyst consisting of platinum supported on mordenite zeolite employed for the first time for vapor phase hydrogenolysis of glycerol to 1,3-propanediol under atmospheric pressure. The catalysts with varying Pt content (0.5-3 wt %) were prepared and thoroughly characterized by X-ray diffraction, temperature-programmed desorption of ammonia, FT-IR of adsorbed pyridine, CO chemisorptions, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and BET surface area. The influence of reaction parameters has been studied to unveil the optimized reaction conditions. A high 1,3-propanediol selectivity (48.6%) was obtained over a 2 wt % Pt/H-mordenite catalyst at 94.9% glycerol conversion. According to the results obtained, the selectivity to 1,3-propanediol is better influenced by Pt dispersion and Bronsted acidity of the support. A plausible reaction mechanism has been presented. The spent catalyst exhibited consistent activity and selectivity toward the desired product during the glycerol hydrogenolysis reaction.