88928-51-2

Upstream product

• 591-12-8 5-methyl-2-furanone 
• 71-36-3 butan-1-ol 
• 123-76-2 levulinic acid 
• 6089-09-4 4-pentynoic acid 

Relevant academic research and scientific papers

Esterification of levulinic acid over Sn(II) exchanged Keggin heteropolyacid salts: An efficient route to obtain bioaditives

In this paper, we describe a process to add value to the biomass derivatives (i.e., levulinic acid), converting it to bioadditives over solid Sn(II) exchanged Keggin heteropolyacid salts. These solid catalysts are an attractive alternative to the traditional soluble and corrosive Br?nsted acid catalysts. Among Sn(II) heteropoly salts, the Sn1.5PW12O40 was the most active and selective catalyst, achieving high conversions (ca. 90 %) and selectivity (90–97 %) for alkyl esters and angelica lactone, the main reaction products. The impacts of the main reaction parameters (i.e., catalyst load, temperature, and the molar ratio of alcohol to acid) were investigated. The use of renewable raw material, and an efficient and recyclable catalyst are the main positive features of this process. The Sn1.5PW12O40 catalyst was easily recovered and reused without loss activity.

MFI Acid Catalysts with Different Crystal Sizes and Porosity for the Conversion of Furanic Compounds in Alcohol Media

Solid acid catalysts possessing MFI topology and different crystal sizes and porosities were explored for the conversion of carbohydrate-biomass-derived α-angelica lactone and 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural, in 1-butanol at T=120–170 °C, to give levulinate esters and furanic ethers. Micro/mesoporous microcrystalline catalysts were prepared by post-synthesis base/acid treatments of ZSM-5 zeolite; the influence of the desilication (base) conditions on the material properties was investigated. A nanocrystalline ZSM-5 sample was synthesised by using hydrothermal, dynamic conditions and used as a reference material. A comparison of the catalytic performances of materials featuring different morphological, textural, and acid properties highlights a complex interplay between the acid and textural properties. The best-performing catalyst (MZS0.6) was obtained by post-synthesis-treatment; fairly good catalytic stability was confirmed by catalyst recycling, contact tests, and characterisation of the spent catalyst. MZS0.6 was compared with the macrorecticular ion-exchange resin Amberlyst-15, chosen as a benchmark solid acid catalyst, in the two reaction systems.

One pot synthesis of WOx/mesoporous-ZrO2 catalysts for the production of levulinic-acid esters

WOx/mesoporous-ZrO2 (WmZr) has been successfully prepared by one-pot evaporation induced self-assembly. The resulting textural properties are highly affected by the additions of WO3 and calcination temperatures. XRD and Raman spectroscopy were used to investigate the crystalline structures and surface states of the materials. Surface acidity was studied employing NH3-TPD and DRIFT spectroscopy with pyridine adsorption. Catalysts loaded with 20-25 wt.% WO3 and calcined at 800 °C exhibited the highest surface acidity with the greatest amount of Br?nsted acid sites. The catalysts were tested in the esterification of levulinic acid (LA) with 1-butanol (1-BuOH). Pseudo- (p-BL) and normal-butyl levulinate (n-BL) were observed as the only products. The highest conversion of LA (64-67%) as well as a selectivity of n-BL of up to 97% could be achieved applying a catalyst with 20 wt.% WO3 loading calcined at 800 °C. A clear correlation between catalyst activity and the relative ratio of Br?nsted and Lewis acid sites could be confirmed.

Catalytic upgrading of α-angelica lactone to levulinic acid esters under mild conditions over heterogeneous catalysts

Butyl levulinate was prepared starting from α-angelica lactone and butanol over Amberlyst 36. Different reaction conditions were optimized, which resulted in full conversion and 94% selectivity toward the ester at 75°C. A reaction network analysis reveals pseudo-butyl levulinate and levulinic acid as intermediates in the preparation of butyl levulinate. The mild protocol was successfully applied for different alcohols and compared with the esterification of levulinic acid. Overall, this study identifies α-angelica lactone as a better candidate than levulinic acid for the heterogeneously catalysed preparation of levulinic acid esters. A catalyst screening shows that also zeolites and zirconia-based catalysts are able to catalyse the reaction. However, the transformation of the intermediate pseudo-butyl levulinate into butyl levulinate requires acid sites of sufficient strength to proceed.

Cyclisation of Alkynecarboxylic Acids: a Route to an Oxaspirolactone

Pent-4-ynoic acid, in various alcohols, was cyclised in the presence of yellow mercury(II) oxide to 4,5-dihydro-5-alkoxy-5-methylfuran-2(3H)-ones; 8-hydroxyoct-4-ynoic acid was also cyclised in dimethylformamide to 1,6-dioxaspirodecan-2-one in good y