Crude bio-glycerol as a hydrogen source for the selective hydrogenation of aromatic nitro compounds over Ru/MgLaO catalyst

Crude glycerol has been utilized as a hydrogen source for the selective hydrogenation of aromatic nitro compounds over MgLaO, MgO and La2O3 supported Ru catalysts. Ru dispersion and basicity of the catalysts had strongly influenced the turnover rates of aromatic amines. The catalyst was recovered and reused for 5 recycles without significant loss of activity. The physicochemical properties of the catalysts were rationalized by temperature programmed desorption (TPD) of CO2 and CO pulse chemisorption in conjunction with rates of aromatic amines.