HYDROGENOLYSIS OF 5-CARBON SUGARS AND ALCOHOLS

摘要

Methods and compositions for reactions of hydrogen over a Re-containing catalyst with compositions containing a 5-carbon sugar, sugar alcohol, or lactic acid are described. It has been surprisingly discovered that reaction with hydrogen over a Recontaining multimetallic catalyst restulted in superior conversion and selectively to desired products such as propylene glycol. A process for the synthesis of PG from lactate or lactic acid is also described.