Selective hydrogenolysis of glycerol to 1,2-propanediol over Cu-MgO catalysts is reported. A series of Cu-MgO catalysts with varying Cu content were prepared by a co-precipitation method. The physico-chemical properties of the catalysts were derived from BET surface area, X-ray diffraction, temperature programmed reduction of hydrogen, temperature programmed desorption of carbon dioxide, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and dissociative N 2 O adsorption techniques. The activity results showed that Cu content on MgO has a significant role in glycerol conversion as well as formation of 1,2-propanediol. Well dispersed Cu species and accessible basic sites of MgO are the essential requirements for high glycerol hydrogenolysis activity. 20 wt% of Cu content on MgO is identified as an optimum Cu content. The catalyst is equally active even with crude glycerol and glycerol containing alkali salts as impurity. Different reaction parameters were evaluated and optimized reaction conditions were established.

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Samarium‐exchanged heteropoly tungstate (SmxTPA) is an efficient catalyst for the synthesis of glycerol carbonate from glycerol and urea. The catalysts with varying Sm content were prepared and characterized by FT‐IR spectroscopy, XRD, laser Raman spectroscopy, temperature‐programmed desorption of ammonia, and X‐ray photo electron spectroscopy. The activity of the catalysts is related to the Lewis and Brønsted acidity, which depends on the Sm content in the catalysts. Partially exchanged SmxTPA catalyst showed high activity, owing to a higher number of Lewis acidic sites. The catalyst exhibited consistent activity and selectivity during recycling. A plausible reaction mechanism is presented. The catalyst also exhibited high activity in the acid‐catalyzed benzylation of anisole.