Efficient conversion of d-glucose into d-sorbitol over MCM-41 supported Ru catalyst prepared by a formaldehyde reduction process

Ru/MCM-41 catalyst prepared by an impregnation–formaldehyde reduction method showed higher catalytic activity and sorbitol selectivity than other catalysts in the hydrogenation of glucose. SEM and XRD indicated the partial surface properties of Ru/MCM-41. Moreover, Ru dispersion and Ru surface area of Ru/MCM-41 were determined by pulse chemisorption, and the result further proved that Ru/MCM-41 had higher catalytic activity. A catalyst recycling experiment demonstrated that Ru/MCM-41 was a better catalyst and it could be reused three or four times. A speculated mechanism was proposed to illustrate the detailed process of d-glucose hydrogenation to produce sorbitol.