The base free oxidation of glycerol with molecular oxygen in water using bimetallic Au–Pt catalysts on three different acidic zeolite supports (H-mordenite, H-β and H-USY) was explored in a batch setup. At temperatures between 140 and 180 °C, lactic acid formation was significant and highest selectivity (60 % lactic acid at 80 % glycerol conversion) was obtained using Au–Pt/USY-600 (180 °C). A selectivity switch to glyceric acid (GLYA) was observed when the reactions were performed at 100 °C. Highest conversion and selectivity towards GLYA were obtained with Au–Pt/H-β as the catalyst (68 % selectivity at 68 % conversion).

The authors would like to thank NWO-ASPECT (The Netherlands) for financial support (ASPECT-project 053.62.020).

Peer reviewed