γ-Valerolactone as a promising solvent and basic chemical product. Catalytic synthesis from components of vegetable biomass

Abstract

γ-Valerolactone (GVL), which is a valuable chemical compound and a platform molecule, is considered as an intermediate product for the synthesis of chemical compounds with high added value, components of motor fuels and biopolymers. GVL is successfully used as an environmentally friendly solvent, fuel additive, fragrance and food additive. This review summarizes recent advances in the development of catalytic methods for the production of GVL from levulinic acid (LA), alkyl levulinates (AL), carbohydrates and vegetable polymers. Particular attention is paid to heterogeneous catalysts based on metals and metal oxides, which are more promising for practical application. The proposed mechanisms of processes are considered in detail, and prospects of using hydrogen-donor solvents in the production of GVL are discussed. Catalysts with the best catalytic performance were compared in terms of their productivity, which is an important parameter for industrial catalysis.