Synthesis of CeO2/SO4/Ni nanoparticle with a greener perspective for the selective oxidation of propylene glycol in continuous reactor

•The first attempt to transform propylene glycol into hydroxyacetone using a continuous reactor.•A brand-new catalyst was developed using CeO2/SO4/Ni (2–8%).•Achieved the highest selectivity and conversion, with values of 98.5% and 99.5%, respectively.•Even after 7 consecutive reactions, the technique still produced a similar yield. The selective oxidation of 2,3-propanediol was performed with acidic nickel supported sulphated ceria catalyst. The ceria nanoparticles were synthesized through greener techniques by utilizing environmental resources. In this work, Coleus Amboinicus leaf extract was used to prepare ecofriendly non-hazardous ceria nanoparticles through sol gel methods. Adopting the nano and green chemistry techniques, cerium oxide nanoparticles are obtained which were further sulphated to increase the acidity of the catalyst. The synthesis was carried out by impregnating the nickel in sulphated ceria nanoparticles. Nickel ceria catalyst in O2 atmosphere enhances the selectivity of the value-based hydroxy acetone. The structure and properties of this catalyst were analyzed through X-Ray diffraction, FTIR spectroscopy, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area analysis, Scanning electron microscopy, Transmission electron microscopy andNH3-Temperature-Programmed Desorption Analysis. The oxidative potential of the catalyst was investigated under different reaction parameters to obtain (hydroxy acetone) HA. Nickel Cerium oxide nanoparticles in O2 atmosphere at 90 °C show the highest selectivity towards the oxidation of (propylene glycol) PG. Tert‑butyl hydro peroxide was used as both solvent and an oxidant. Amongst the variants, CeO2/SO4/Ni (6%) delivered the highest selectivity and conversion. This study provides an economical, ecofriendly, thermally stable, reusable and active catalyst for obtaining hydroxy acetone. [Display omitted]