Selectively Chemocatalytic Conversion of Fructose to 1,2-Propylene Glycol over Ru-WOx/Hydroxyapatite Catalyst†

Summary of main observation and conclusion The conversion of fructose to 1,2-propylene glycol (PG) is an important process from cellulosic biomass to high-value added chemicals. Herein, Ru-WO x /hydroxyapatite (HAP) catalyst was employed for this reaction and reached up to 91.3% yield of PG at 180 °C, 1 MPa initial hydrogen for 8 h in water. On this catalyst, Ru and WO x were highly dispersed on HAP support and they interacted with each other to form a special catalytic center. The lack of isolated Ru or RuW alloy site led to a moderate activity for hydrogenolysis and hindered the further conversion of PG to propanol. The weak basic HAP support efficiently prevented the humin formation. This precisely controlled catalyst has potential in green PG production.