Enhanced selective hydrogenation of glycolaldehyde to ethylene glycol over Cu0-Cu+ sites

A prominent heterogeneous Cu/SiO2 catalyst was constructed by ammonia-evaporation for the highly selective synthesis of ethylene glycol via batch liquid-phase glycolaldehyde hydrogenation. Highly dispersed Cu0/Cu+ sites exhibited superior activity and ethylene glycol selectivity (99.8%). A synergistic effect between Cu+ and Cu0 facilitates the selective adsorption/activation of glycolaldehyde on Cu+ sites and the dissociation of H2 on Cu0 sites.