Catalytic conversion of glycerol to 1,2-propanediol is an important issue for sustainable production of fine chemicals and biodiesel. Here it is found that pure silica Beta zeolite supported copper species via hydrothermal treatment (Cu/Si-Beta-HT) are highly efficient for hydrogenolysis of glycerol to 1,2-propanediol, achieving 96.0% conversion and more than 99.9% selectivity after reaction at 240 °C for 3 h. TEM images and N₂O titration experiments confirm the high dispersion of Cu nanoparticles in the catalyst. In addition, pyridine-adsorption FT-IR spectra and NH₃-TPD profiles suggest the presence of copper species as Lewis acidic sites in the catalyst. The hydrogenolysis of glycerol to 1,2-propanediol mainly includes the dehydration of glycerol to acetol and hydrogenation of acetol into 1,2-propanediol, which are catalyzed by copper cations and Cu nanoparticles, respectively. In situ FT-IR spectra and kinetic studies suggest that the dehydration rate is slower than the hydrogenation rate, and the dehydration is a key step for the hydrogenolysis of glycerol to 1,2-propanediol.

甘油催化转化为1,2-丙二醇是精细化学品和生物柴油可持续生产的重要问题。研究发现，经过水热处理(Cu/Si-Beta-HT)的纯二氧化硅 Beta 沸石负载铜物质可高效地将甘油氢解为 1,2-丙二醇，反应后实现 96.0% 的转化率和超过 99.9% 的选择性在 240 °C 下保持 3 小时。TEM 图像和 N ₂ O 滴定实验证实了 Cu 纳米粒子在催化剂中的高度分散。此外，吡啶吸附红外光谱和NH ₃-TPD 曲线表明在催化剂中存在铜物质作为路易斯酸性位点。甘油氢解为1,2-丙二醇主要包括甘油脱水为丙酮醇和丙酮醇氢化为1,2-丙二醇，分别由铜阳离子和Cu纳米粒子催化。原位FT-IR 光谱和动力学研究表明，脱水速率低于氢化速率，脱水是甘油氢解为 1,2-丙二醇的关键步骤。