A series of bimetallic Pd-Cu/solid-base catalysts were prepared via thermal decomposition of Pd(x)Cu(0.4)Mg(5.6-x)Al(2)(OH)(16)CO(3) layered double hydroxides precursors and used in hydrogenolysis of glycerol to 1,2-propanediol (1,2-PDO). X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and N(2)O oxidation and followed H(2) titration characterizations confirmed that well structured layered double hydroxides Pd(x)Cu(0.4)Mg(5.6-x)Al(2)(OH)(16)CO(3) crystals could be prepared when the amount of added Pd was less than x < 0.04. Pd and Cu dispersed highly in reduced Pd(x)Cu(0.4)/Mg(5.6-x)Al(2)O(8.6-x) and Pd improved the reduction of Cu. Hydrogenolysis of glycerol proceeded easily on bimetallic Pd-Cu/solid-base catalysts than separated Pd and Cu. On Pd(0.04)Cu(0.4)/Mg(5.56)Al(2)O(8.56), the conversion of glycerol and selectivity of 1,2-PDO reached 88.0 and 99.6%, respectively, at 2.0 MPa H(2), 180 degrees C, 10 h in ethanol solution. And this catalyst is stable in five recycles. It was concluded that H(2)-spillover from Pd to Cu increased the activity of Pd(x)Cu(0.4)/Mg(5.6-x)Al(2)O(8.6-x) in hydrogenolysis of glycerol. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.