Production of 1,2-propanediol from fructose over a biochar-supported RuWCu catalyst

The conversion of fructose, derived from biomass, into 1,2-propanediol (1,2-PDO) offers a promising approach for reducing the carbon footprint and achieving high atom economy. However, effective regulation of this transformation to minimize side reactions remains a challenge. In this study, a biochar supported RuWCu catalyst was developed demonstrating high activity of converting fructose to 1,2-propanediol with a favorable yield of 48.1% under optimized reaction conditions of 4 MPa H2, 210 °C, and 3 h. The calcination temperature and reduction temperature affected the states of Ru, W, and Cu, which in turn affected the metal–acid sites. Optimal results were obtained with a calcination temperature of 400 °C and a reduction temperature of 300 °C, resulting in a high yield of 1,2-PDO. The Ru0.5W36Cu7/biochar showed a good reuse potential with negligible activity loss after the fifth run. These findings contribute to the development of efficient catalysts for biomass conversion and highlight the potential of biochar-supported catalysts in sustainable chemical transformations.