Liquid Phase Oxidation of Glycerol over Gold-based Catalysts in Flow and Batch Reactor

Abstract

The catalyst prepared based on gold catalyst was used for the oxidation reaction of glycerol using molecular oxygen as an oxidant. The resulting products are carboxylic acids, which are expected to be high value-added and highly functional molecules. The reaction was carried out using both batch and flow reactors. Particular emphasis was placed on the development of catalysts suitable for flow reactors, and we have found catalysts with both high activity and long life. Investigation of the reaction mechanism was focused on the Au/Al2O3 catalyst, clarifying the effect of added alkali and proposing a mechanism by which oxygen is activated on the catalyst. The use of high-resolution electron microscopy has revealed the state of other noble metals complexed with gold in the nanoparticle catalysts, which has also enabled a discussion of their influence on the reaction.