The hydrogenolysis of glycerol, a byproduct of biodiesel production, to propene was studied over supported metallic catalysts. About 100% glycerol conversion was observed for all catalysts, but the selectivity was dependent on the composition. Ru and Pd on activated carbon produced mainly propane and methane/ethane, respectively. Ni/Mo on activated carbon gave mainly propane, whereas Zn/Mo and Cu/Mo supported on activated carbon produced intermediate oxygenated compounds. Fe/Mo over activated carbon presented up to 90% selectivity to propene. This results may be explained in terms of the poor reductibility of the Fe/Mo catalysts, as shown by TPR and XRD experiments. A possible pathway from glycerol to propene involves the formation of acetol, 1,2-propanediol and 2-propanol as intermediates. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.