biostudies-literatureCai CChinese Academy of SciencesNational Basic Research Program of ChinaNational Natural Science Foundation of ChinaNatural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province3993-4001https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9048756biostudies-literatureUnknown10(7)Ni/La₂O₃/ZrO₂ catalysts were prepared by a step-by-step impregnation method through regulation of the contents of the active component and alkali. The introduction of an alkaline promoter not only enhanced the alkalinity of the catalyst but also improved the dispersion of Ni on the catalyst owing to the strong interaction between Ni²⁺ and alkali promoter. The synergistic effect between Ni and La₂O₃ was beneficial to selective hydrogenolysis of sorbitol. Under the optimal reaction conditions, sorbitol conversion reached nearly 100% and target products (ethylene glycol, 1,2-propanediol, and glycerol) selectivity reached 74.8%. Metal-alkali coordination mechanism and possible pathways for target products formation were proposedRSC advancesHydrogenolysis of biomass-derived sorbitol over La-promoted Ni/ZrO₂ catalysts.PMC904875651536009DNL1803022018YFB15014022017A03030801051576199XDA21060102Cai CMa LWang CZhang XLiu QWang HXin HZhang QZhu CfalseHydrogenolysis of biomass-derived sorbitol over La-promoted Ni/ZrO₂ catalysts.Ni/La₂O₃/ZrO₂ catalysts were prepared by a step-by-step impregnation method through regulation of the contents of the active component and alkali. The introduction of an alkaline promoter not only enhanced the alkalinity of the catalyst but also improved the dispersion of Ni on the catalyst owing to the strong interaction between Ni²⁺ and alkali promoter. The synergistic effect between Ni and La₂O₃ was beneficial to selective hydrogenolysis of sorbitol. Under the optimal reaction conditions, sorbitol conversion reached nearly 100% and target products (ethylene glycol, 1,2-propanediol, and glycerol) selectivity reached 74.8%. Metal-alkali coordination mechanism and possible pathways for target products formation were proposed2020-01-01T00:00:00Z2020 Jan2025-04-26T15:23:41.33Z2025-04-06T14:52:34.649ZS-EPMC90487563549263310.1039/c9ra10394e