Pd/C-Catalyzed Efficient and Selective Synthesis of Glycolic Acid from Ethylene Glycol.

Palladium on carbon catalyst is used to develop an effective and selective system to produce potassium glycolate, a salt of glycolic acid, which is an interesting chemical with uses in many industries including the polymers and cosmetics industries. The mild conditions for this reaction allow to obtain a high yield of potassium glycolate, up to 92%, starting from ethylene glycol.