Pixabay
Pixabay

A research team at Osaka Metropolitan University has developed a new catalyst that converts a derivative of glycerol into bio-based propylene, the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) reported on its EurekAlert website.

Typically produced from petroleum, propylene is used in the manufacture of plastics, such as car bumpers and food containers.

The research was published in Chemical Communications on 6 August.

Led by associate professor Shin Takemoto and Professor Hiroyuki Matsuzaka from the Graduate School of Science, the research team developed a catalyst that selectively breaks down the oxygen-carbon bond in allyl alcohol, a derivative of glycerol, to produce bio-based propylene, the 24 September report said.

The catalyst contains a special molecule known as a metalloligand, which is designed to facilitate the reversible binding of two metals within the catalyst. This feature enhances the reaction’s efficiency, provides high selectivity and minimises the formation of byproducts.