One-step propylene formation from bio-glycerol over molybdena-based catalystsElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c4gc01307g

• Main Authors: Zacharopoulou, Vasiliki, Vasiliadou, Efterpi S, Lemonidou, Angeliki A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1463-9262; 1463-9270
• DOI: 10.1039/c4gc01307g

This work presents a novel, one-step catalytic process, enabling highly selective propylene formation via glycerol hydro-deoxygenation (HDO) reactions. Fe-Mo catalysts, supported on black and activated carbons, are selective towards C-O bond cleavage, thus converting glycerol to propylene with high yields. BET, XRD, TPD-NH 3 and TPD-He methods have been employed for the characterization of the samples. Molybdenum oxide, at its reduced state, is essential for driving selectively the reaction towards complete deoxygenation. The only product of glycerol HDO is propene, in the gas phase, while 2-propenol, propanols and propylene glycol have been detected, among others, in the liquid phase. Under the standard reaction conditions (300 °C temperature, 8.0 MPa hydrogen pressure), glycerol conversion exceeds 88% and selectivity to propene reaches 76% after 6 hours of reaction. This study includes the investigation of the operating conditions effect ( i.e. reaction time, reaction temperature, catalyst loading and H 2 pressure) regarding glycerol HDO towards propene formation. A novel one-step process is explored for glycerol conversion to propene, over molybdena-based catalysts. Through hydro-deoxygenation reactions, glycerol is converted to 2-propenol, which is subsequently hydrogenated to form propene.