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

Abstract Crude glycerol has been utilized as a hydrogen source for the selective hydrogenation of aromatic nitro compounds over MgLaO, MgO and La 2 O 3 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 CO 2 and CO pulse chemisorption in conjunction with rates of aromatic amines.