Sulfate-functionalized metal-organic frameworks supporting Pd nanoparticles for the hydrogenolysis of glycerol to 1,2-propanediol

Selective hydrogenolysis of glycerol to 1,2-propanediol is one of the options for the chemical utilization of glycerol. In this work, we synthesized sulfate-functionalized metal-organic frameworks loading palladium nanoparticles, MOF-808-SO4-Pd, as effective glycerol hydrogenolysis catalysts. The sulfate groups are responsible for the dehydration of glycerol. Subsequently, palladium nanoparticles hydrogenate the intermediates to 1,2-propanediol. The synergistic reaction between acid sites and Pd gave 93.9% selectivity of 1,2-propanediol with a reaction rate of 22.4 mmol g(Pd)(-1) h(-1). Our work highlights new opportunities in using acid-functionalized MOFs as novel supports for metal nanoparticle catalysts for dual site catalysis.