Catalytic Conversion of Biomass-Derived 1,2-Propanediol to Propylene Oxide over Supported Solid-Base Catalysts.

A series of supported alkali metal salts were investigated as catalysts to produce propylene oxide (PO) from biomass-derived 1,2-propanediol via dehydrative epoxidation in a solid-gas reaction system. The effects of supports, cations, and anions in the alkali metal salts and calcination temperature were investigated by X-ray diffraction and CO-temperature-programmed desorption. The results indicate the catalysts with relative mild basicity having higher yields of PO. The highest yield of PO is 58.2% from reactions at 400 °C at an atmospheric pressure over KNO/SiO. In addition, the catalyst could be reused after calcination in air at 550 °C.