Selective synthesis of 1,3-propanediol from glycidol over a carbon film encapsulated Co catalyst

Abstract

1,3-Propanediol (1,3-PDO) is an important chemical and feedstock in the synthesis of polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT) resin, but the catalytic production of 1,3-PDO is difficult. In this work, a carbon film encapsulated Co nanoparticle catalyst (Co@NC) was synthesized via pyrolysis of Co₂(1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid)₂(triethylenediamine) and tested in the synthesis of 1,3-PDO from glycidol. It was found that this Co@NC catalyst was highly active, selective and stable for this reaction under mild conditions. Characterization results indicated that the formation of 1,3-PDO was sensitive to the adsorbed hydrogen. The selectivity to 1,3-PDO reached its maximum over the Co@NC catalyst as carbon film encapsulation can inhibit the excessive adsorption and activation of H₂ molecules, while the adsorbed dissociated hydrogen on naked Co NPs and/or N atoms (in the carbon shell) promoted the formation of propanol.