The Catalytic Disproportionation of Glycerol over Supported Alkaline Metal Carbonate Catalysts

The catalytic disproportionation of glycerol was investigated over active carbon (AC) supported catalysts. Typically, 1,2-propanediol, acetic acid, and acetaldehyde were found as the major products of the reaction over catalysts Na2CO3/AC and K2CO3/AC. Other products, such as methanol, ethanol, ethylene glycol, and acetone were also formed as the minor products in the reaction. All of these compounds are defined as oxygenate products (OP). The highest OP yield of 65.3% (carbon mol) was obtained over Na2CO3/AC at 593 K.