Abstract: A SnO2 nano-material was synthesized by the citric method and was characterized by thermogravimetry-differential thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscope, and N2 adsorption techniques. The SnO2 obtained is nano-crystalline with uniform particle size (8-10 nm) and porous structure (pore diameter 4-6 nm). The SnO2 nano-material displayed good catalytic performance for the reduction of acrolein to allyl alcohol. The catalyst had high initial activity, and the initial conversion of acrolein reached 93.6%. The highest selectivity and yield of allyl alcohol were 60% and 47%, respectively. Coke deposition on the catalyst surface mainly contributed to its deactivation.

Key words: nano-material, tin oxide, acrolein, reduction, allyl alcohol