Conversion of Dihydroxyacetone to Methyl Pyruvate Catalyzed by Hybrid Molecular Sieves at Low Temperature: A Strategy for the Green Utilization of Glycerol

Abstract Methyl pyruvate (MPA) was synthesized from dihydroxyacetone (DHA), the oxidation product of glycerol, over Sn-β and TS-1 hybrid molecular sieves at low temperature. Sn-β and TS-1 provide the active sites for conversion of DHA to methyl lactate (MLA) and oxidation of MLA to MPA, respectively. Synergism of Lewis acid sites on Sn-β and TS-1 realize the production of MPA from DHA. After optimization, 71% yield of MPA can be obtained under 50 °C. This is the first report for the synthesis of MPA from DHA directly. Graphic Abstract