Synthesis of glycolic acid from ethyleneglycol by liquid phase oxidation over carbon and aluminium oxide supported gold catalysts

Abstract

The rate and the products of the oxidation of ethylene glycol on Au/C and Au/Al₂O₃  at room temperature have been studied. The oxidation of ethylene glycol carried out on Au/C gave the conversion about 24%, and selectivity of glycolic acid about 94%; on Au/Al₂0₃ gave the conversion about 41% and selectivity of glycolic acid about 60%. The products were analyzedby GCMS and the mechanism of these compounds formation was discussed.