@article {49892,
	title = {Towards efficient conversion of sucrose to 1,2-propanediol selectively over Cu-La on activated carbon support},
	journal = {Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery},
	volume = {15},
	year = {2025},
	month = {NOV},
	pages = {29241-29257},
	type = {Article},
	abstract = {<p>
	In this study, we investigated the conversion of sucrose to 1,2-propanediol (1,2-PDO) using various Cu-La metals supported on activated carbon (AC), a versatile support known for its hydrophobicity and high surface area. Among the catalysts tested, 6\% Cu-20\% La/AC demonstrated the highest activity, achieving a 72\% yield of 1,2-PDO under optimal reaction conditions of 200 degrees C, 40 bar H2, and 6-h reaction time. Comparative studies using cellulose, sucrose, glucose, and fructose as substrates identified sucrose as the most favorable feedstock for 1,2-PDO production. Detailed catalyst characterization (XRD, TEM, FE-SEM, TPR, TPD, XPS) revealed that the high dispersion, presence of metallic copper, and synergy between Cu and La, along with the presence of optimal acidic and basic sites, were responsible for the catalyst{\textquoteright}s high selectivity of 1,2-PDO. Additionally, the effect of different supports, including HY, NaY, HZSM-5, NaZSM-5, gamma-Al2O3, and AC, on sucrose conversion was examined, with AC showing superior performance. The catalyst{\textquoteright}s reusability was also assessed.Graphical abstractInvestigation of Cu-La metals supported on activated carbon for the catalytic conversion of sucrose to 1,2-propanediol, with an emphasis on choice of support, feedstock selection, catalyst performance, and stability under optimized reaction conditions.</p>
},
	keywords = {1, 2-Propanediol, Biomass conversion, Biomass-to-chemicals, Hydrogenation},
	issn = {2190-6815},
	doi = {10.1007/s13399-025-06641-2},
	author = {Anilan, Anusree Elavanaparambil and Sreekantan, Sreejith and Racha, Arundhathi and Marimuthu, Banu}
}
