Process for transformation of lignocellulosic biomass or cellulose by catalysts based on tin oxide and/or antimony oxide and a metal that is selected from the groups 8 to 11

Process for transformation of lignocellulosic biomass or cellulose into hydroxyacetone and propylene glycol, in which the lignocellulosic biomass or cellulose is brought into contact, under hydrothermal conditions and under a reducing atmosphere, with a heterogeneous catalyst that is based on tin oxide and/or antimony oxide and that contains at least one element in the metal state that is selected from among Pt, Ni, Ru, Cu, with said catalyst having Lewis-type acid sites, said content of Lewis acid sites being greater than 50% of the total acid site content, and with said process being carried out at a temperature of between 160 and 250° C., and at a pressure of between 0.5 and 20 MPa.