Hydrogenation of Lactic Acid to 1,2‐Propanediol over Ru‐Based Catalysts

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The catalytic hydrogenation of lactic acid to 1,2‐propanediol with supported Ru catalysts in water was investigated. The influence of catalyst support (activated carbon, γ‐Al 2 O 3 , SiO 2 , TiO 2 , and CeO 2 ) and promoters (Pd, Au, Mo, Re, Sn) on the catalytic performance was evaluated. Catalytic tests revealed that TiO 2 yields the best Ru catalysts. With a monometallic Ru/TiO 2 catalyst, a 1,2‐propanediol yield of 70 % at 79 % lactic acid conversion was achieved at 130 °C after 20 h reaction. Minor byproducts of the hydrogenation reaction were propionic acid, ethanol, 1‐propanol, and 2‐propanol. For the bimetallic catalysts, the addition of Pd and Au slightly enhanced the performance of Ru/TiO 2 , whereas the addition of common hydrogenation promoters such as Re, Mo, and Sn impaired the activity.