Direct hydrogenolysis of glycerol into 1,3-propanediol over rhenium-modified iridium catalyst

Silica-supported iridium particles modified with low-valent rhenium oxide clusters catalyze regioselective hydrogenolysis of glycerol to 1,3-propanediol in water. Rhenium-oxide-modified supported iridium nanoparticles on silica catalyzes direct hydrogenolysis of glycerol to 1,3-propanediol in an aqueous media. The selectivity to 1,3-propanediol at an initial stage reaches 67 ± 3%. The yield of 1,3-propanediol reaches 38% at 81% conversion of glycerol. The characterization of catalyst and the reactivity of alcohols suggest that 1,3-propanediol is produced by the attack of active hydrogen species on iridium metal to 1-glyceride species formed on the oxidized rhenium cluster.