Ru-added Ir-ReOx/SiO2 catalysts worked as efficient catalysts for the selective hydrogenolysis of glycerol to 1,3-propanediol and 1-propanol. 0.9 wt% Ru-added Ir-ReOx/SiO2 catalyst demonstrated high activity for the hydrogenolysis of glycerol to 1,3-propanediol with high selectivity comparative to Ir-ReOx/SiO2. In addition, 4.4 wt% Ru-added Ir-ReOx/SiO2 catalyst with H(2)SO(4)aq showed high activity for the selective hydrogenolysis of glycerol to 1-propanol, and the yields of 1-propanol and total propanols (1-propano1+2-propanol) were 71% and 84%, respectively. On the basis of various analyses such as TPR (temperature-programmed reduction), XRD, XAFS and CO adsorption, the structure and reaction mechanism of Ru-added Ir-ReOx/SiO2 catalysts were proposed. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.