Hydrogenolysis of glycidol to propanediols     

1,3-propanediol is an important monomer for the synthesis of polypropylene terephthalate (PPT), a polymer that exhibits excellent properties. The industrial production of 1,3-propanediol is expensive and involves the use of compounds of petrochemical origin. The selective hydrogenolysis of glycerol to 1,3-propanediol requires the use of noble metals and drastic reaction conditions. Glycidol can be an alternative to glycerol for the production of propanediols, as it is a highly reactive molecule that can be easily obtained from glycerol and dimethyl carbonate. In the Greencat research group of the Rovira i Virgili University, we have developed NiCu catalysts supported on protonated mesoporous saponites. A higher Ni content favours the formation of 1,2-propanediol (with interesting applications) while the presence of Cu favours the formation of 1,3-propanediol.