85734-01-6

Upstream product

• 6347-01-9 fructopyranose 
• 78-92-2 iso-butanol 
• 539-88-8 4-oxopentanoic acid ethyl ester 
• 98-01-1 furfural 
• 591-12-8 5-methyl-2-furanone 
• 123-76-2 levulinic acid 
• 9004-34-6 cellulose 

Downstream Products

• 106-98-9 1-butylene 
• 107-01-7 butene-2 
• 108-29-2 5-methyl-dihydro-furan-2-one 

Relevant academic research and scientific papers

Renewable bio-based routes to γ-valerolactone in the presence of hafnium nanocrystalline or hierarchical microcrystalline zeotype catalysts

Different renewable bio-based routes leading to the versatile bioproduct γ-valerolactone (GVL) were studied in integrated fashions, starting from furfural (Fur), α-angelica lactone (AnL) and levulinic acid (LA), in the presence of multifunctional hafnium-

γ-Valerolactone synthesis from α-angelica lactone and levulinic acid over biobased multifunctional nanohybrid catalysts

The selective chemical conversion of biomass components to useful bioproducts may contribute to a renewable resource-based economy. The selective production of target bioproducts may be accomplished using heterogeneous catalysts operating under relatively moderate reaction conditions. In this work, carbohydrate biomass derived α-angelica lactone (AnL) and levulinic acid (LA) were converted to the versatile bioproduct γ-valerolactone (GVL), in the presence of nanohybrid catalysts (M-FDCA) and the microcrystalline metal-organic framework CAU-28, all of which were synthesized from bio-based 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) and a metal (M = Zr or Hf) precursor. The nanohybrids were prepared in a simple fast (FT) fashion, and, for comparison, via a conventional solvothermal (S) procedure. The M-FDCA catalysts stood on a higher footing than CAU-28 in the conversion of AnL and LA to GVL. The superior results for the M-FDCA catalysts may be partly due to their higher ratio Sext:SBET and nano-features, which may advantageously enhance active sites accessibility. In particular, the Hf-FDCA catalysts were stable and performed superiorly to the Zr-FDCA ones. Experimental mechanistic studies shed light on the multifunctional behavior of the hybrid catalysts in the one-pot conversion of AnL-to-GVL, which involved acid and reduction chemistry.

Eco-Friendly Natural Clay: Montmorillonite Modified with Nickel or Ruthenium as an Effective Catalyst in Gamma-Valerolactone Synthesis

Ni/Ru metals supported on cheap and available support montmorillonite K10 were used for the selective hydrogenation of levulinic acid to γ-valerolactone. Different loadings of the metals were applied by the impregnation method, and detailed characterization was performed (UV–VIS, XRD, TPR, TPD, particle size distribution, SEM, XRF). Metals’ homogeneous distribution on the surface was confirmed. The selectivity to the desired product was almost independent on the used material. A detailed study of the influence of solvents on the studied reaction was also performed—protic alcohol-based solvents caused the formation of levulinic and valeric acid esters in the reaction mixture. The selectivity was influenced mainly by the alcohol structure (the highest selectivity obtained using isopropyl alcohol and sec-butanol). Mainly the solvent’s donor number (except ethanol) influenced the reaction rate. The prepared catalysts are promising, available, and cheap materials for the studied reaction. Solvent may significantly influence the yield of γ-valerolactone. Graphic Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.].

A novel Ni/AC catalyst prepared by MOCVD method for hydrogenation of ethyl levulinate to γ-valerolactone

GVL (γ-valerolactone) is identified as an important biomass platform molecule due to its wide application. In this work, a series of novel supported Ni catalysts with different supports and Ni loading were synthesized via metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) method for the hydrogenation of EL (ethyl levulinate) to GVL. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), nitrogen adsorption/desorption, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to characterize the as-synthesized catalysts. The results showed that the 2 wt.% Ni/AC(MOCVD) presented superior catalytic activity when compared with the catalyst prepared by impregnation method. This behavior is explained in terms of the smaller Ni nanoparticles (4.28 nm) and higher dispersion on 2 wt.% Ni/AC(MOCVD). Among the catalysts, the 2 wt.% Ni/AC catalyst exhibited the best catalytic performance with 99.7 % EL conversion and 79.8 % GVL yield under 1 MPa initial H2 pressure (measured at room temperature) at 250 °C for 2 h. In addition, the reaction conditions were optimized and the stability of the catalyst were also investigated. The insights gained from this study in the design of high dispersed Ni particles with smaller particle size via MOCVD method will facilitate the metal-catalyzed hydrogenation of EL to GVL.

Cascade Reductive Etherification of Bioderived Aldehydes over Zr-Based Catalysts

An efficient one-pot catalytic cascade sequence has been developed for the production of value-added ethers from bioderived aldehydes. Etherification of 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural with different aliphatic alcohols over acidic Zr–montmorillonite (Zr-Mont) catalyst produced a mixture of 5-(alkoxymethyl)furfural and 2-(dialkoxymethyl)-5-(alkoxymethyl)furan. The latter was selectively converted back into 5-(alkoxymethyl)furfural by treating it with water over the same catalyst. The synthesis of 2,5-bis(alkoxymethyl)furan was achieved through a cascade sequence involving etherification, transfer hydrogenation, and re-etherification over a combination of acidic Zr-Mont and the charge-transfer hydrogenation catalyst [ZrO(OH)2]. This catalyst combination was further explored for the cascade conversion of 2-furfuraldehyde into 2-(alkoxymethyl)furan. The scope of this strategy was then extended for the reductive etherification of lignin-derived arylaldehydes to obtain the respective benzyl ethers in >80 % yield. Additionally, the mixture of Zr-Mont and ZrO(OH)2 does not undergo mutual destruction, which was proved by recycling experiments and XRD analysis. Both the catalysts were thoroughly characterized using BET, temperature-programmed desorption of NH3 and CO2, pyridine-FTIR, XRD, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy techniques.

Influence of butanol isomers on the reactivity of cellulose towards the synthesis of butyl levulinates catalyzed by liquid and solid acid catalysts

Butyl esters of levulinic acid form an interesting class of bio-based compounds that can be used, for example, as fuel additives. Their preparation mainly proceeds through the esterification of levulinic acid while the few reported studies on their direct synthesis from cellulose give limited information. In the present work, we studied for the first time in detail the influence of butanol isomers on the non-catalyzed cellulose liquefaction and the acid catalyzed formation of butyl levulinates from cellulose. In the absence of catalysts there was no influence of the alcohol class on liquefaction which reached 70-85% after 2 hours at 300 °C. In the presence of catalysts, we showed that the class of the alcohol had a significant influence on the butyl levulinate yield. With primary alcohols yields of 50% were obtained in the presence of H2SO4 (200 °C, 30 min). This level of yield can be considered as very interesting for these kinds of one-pot transformations involving cellulose. With secondary alcohols, yields less than 20% were obtained while no butyl levulinate was formed with tertiary alcohols. We also report for the first time this transformation in the presence of solid acids. Insoluble Cs2HPW12O40 or sulfated zirconia catalyzed the reaction heterogeneously despite deactivation leading to limited yields of 13% (200 °C, 1 hour). We finally show that water in butanol had an ambivalent role in enhancing the cellulose reactivity but limiting the esterification step and found that 5-7 wt%/butanol of water was the optimum amount.

In situ generated catalyst system to convert biomass-derived levulinic acid to γ-valerolactone

This is the first report of HCl/ZrO(OH)2 catalysts prepared in situ by the autonomous decomposition of ZrOCl2·8 H2O in levulinic acid (LA)/2-butanol solution, which catalyzed the esterification of LA in tandem with hydrocyclization to γ-valerolactone (GVL) by Meerwein-Ponndorf-Verley (MPV) reduction without the use of external H2. A maximum GVL yield of 92.4 % from neat LA and a GVL formation rate of 1092.2 μmol g-1 min-1 were achieved in 2-butanol at 240 °C in 2 h. The in situ generated ZrO(OH)2 was characterized comprehensively and its unexpected catalytic efficiency was attributed mainly to its extremely high surface area. A crude LA stream from the acid hydrolysis of cellulose was extracted into 2-butanol and subjected to this catalyst system to give a GVL yield of 82.0 % even in the presence of humins.

Heterogeneous acidic TiO2 nanoparticles for efficient conversion of biomass derived carbohydrates

Selective conversion of biomass derived carbohydrates into fine chemicals is of great significance for the replacement of petroleum feedstocks and the reduction of environmental impacts. Levulinic acid, 5-hydroxymethyl furfural (HMF) and their derivatives are recognized as important precursor candidates in a variety of different areas. In this study, the synthesis, characterization, and catalytic activity of acidic TiO2 nanoparticles in the conversion of biomass derived carbohydrates were explored. This catalyst was found to be highly effective for selective conversion to value-added products. The nanoparticles exhibited superior activity and selectivity towards methyl levulinate from fructose in comparison to current commercial catalysts. The conversion of fructose to methyl levulinate was achieved with 80% yield and high selectivity (up to 80%). Additionally, conversions of disaccharides and polysaccharides were studied. Further, the production of versatile valuable products such as levulinic esters, HMF, and HMF-derived ethers was demonstrated using the TiO2 nano-sized catalysts in different solvent systems.

Domino reaction catalyzed by zeolites with Br?nsted and Lewis acid sites for the production of γ-valerolactone from furfural

Take the straight path: Furfural was converted into γ-valerolactone (GVL) through sequential transfer-hydrogenation and hydrolysis reactions catalyzed by zeolites with Lewis and Br?nsted acid sites (see picture). Together, Zr-Beta and Al-MFI nanosheets generated GVL in 78 % yield without the use of precious metals or molecular H2. This system offers an attractive streamlined strategy for the production of GVL from biomass-derived molecules. Copyright