Synergistic Effects of Bimetallic PtPd/TiO2 Nanocatalysts in Oxidation of Glucose to Glucaric Acid: Structure Dependent Activity and Selectivity

Direct oxidation of glucose with enhanced selectivity to glucaric acid with tartronic and oxalic acids as coproducts is reported using bimetallic PtPd/TiO2 catalysts under mild conditions. Bimetallic PtPd catalysts display significantly enhanced catalytic activity (turnover frequency (TOF) 2404 h–1) and improved selectivity to glucaric acid (S 44%) in glucose oxidation compared to monometallic catalysts (TOF 248 h–1, S 4%). Oxidation of glucose follows a consecutive reaction with gluconic acid as an intermediate with inhibition of the second step (to glucaric acid and C–C cleavage reactions) by the presence of glucose. Surface characterization using TEM, SEM, chemisorption, UV–vis spectroscopy, and XRD distinguished the particle morphologies and provided insights into structure–activity relations. A reaction pathway for glucose oxidation is proposed based on the product distribution. These results provide new insights into the design of bimetallic catalysts for the oxidation of glucose to glucaric acid.