Bimetallic CuPd x nanoparticles synthesized by the wet chemical reduction method were used as the catalysts in the catalytic oxidation of 1

2-propanediol with gaseous oxygen to aliphatic acids. The palladium and copper nanoparticles in the bimetallic CuPd

x

nanoparticles had an alloying trend. The catalytic activity of the palladium nanoparticles in the bimetallic CuPd

x

nanoparticles was enhanced by the interaction between the palladium and copper nanoparticles. When the bimetallic CuPd

7

nanoparticles catalyzed the oxidation of 1

2-propanediol in an alkaline aqueous solution at 100 ℃ for 3 h

lactic

formic

and acetic acids were dominantly produced with the total selectivity of above 99% at the 1

2-propanediol conversion of 85.9%. The simulation of the reaction kinetic equation on the CuPd

7

catalyst showed that the reaction activation energy was 29.4 kJ·mol

-1

indicating that the bimetallic CuPd

7

nanoparticles had a high catalytic activity in the oxidation reaction between 1

2-propanediol and gaseous oxygen.