Highly stable, efficient and reusable Cu4Zn1MgO catalyst was developed for selective hydrogenolysis of glycerol to 1,2-propanediol (1,2-PDO). Almost complete conversion of glycerol with I ' 94% selectivity to 1,2-PDO was obtained at mild reaction condition. The probable reaction mechanism for the formation of 1,2-PDO from glycerol is proposed.