Issue 21, 2014

Production of γ-valerolactone from biomass-derived compounds using formic acid as a hydrogen source over supported metal catalysts in water solvent

Abstract

γ-Valerolactone (GVL) is a key intermediate for production of fuels and chemicals. In this research, GVL is synthesized from biomass-derived compounds using formic acid (FA) as a hydrogen source over various supported metal catalysts which are prepared by a simple impregnation or co-precipitation method. Under optimum conditions, levulinic acid (LA) is almost converted to GVL by Ru/C, Ru/SBA, Au/ZrC and Au/ZrO2 catalysts with above 90% yield in water solvent. Especially, the Au/ZrO2 showed excellent activity and recyclability; the Au/ZrO2 catalyst can decompose completely FA to CO2 and H2, which gives high yield of GVL (ca. 97%) from hydrogenation of LA, and can retain its activity for at least 5 recycle runs. GVL is also obtained from one-pot dehydration/hydrogenation reaction of fructose in water solvent. In this reaction, FA plays two roles: an acid catalyst for dehydration of fructose to LA, and a hydrogen source for hydrogenation of the obtained LA over supported metal catalysts. The Au/ZrO2 is the best catalyst for dehydration/hydrogenation reaction with overall GVL yield of 48% and can be reused several times.

Graphical abstract: Production of γ-valerolactone from biomass-derived compounds using formic acid as a hydrogen source over supported metal catalysts in water solvent

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
12 Dec 2013
Accepted
30 Jan 2014
First published
31 Jan 2014

RSC Adv., 2014,4, 10525-10530

Production of γ-valerolactone from biomass-derived compounds using formic acid as a hydrogen source over supported metal catalysts in water solvent

P. A. Son, S. Nishimura and K. Ebitani, RSC Adv., 2014, 4, 10525 DOI: 10.1039/C3RA47580H

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