Abstract
The conversion of levulinic acid (LA) to γ‐valerolactone (GVL) was investigated by employing the homogeneous Shvo catalyst (Ru‐1) and iron Knölker‐type catalysts, in order to evaluate the possibility to replace ruthenium with cheap, earth‐abundant iron for this catalytic reaction. While the ruthenium‐catalyzed reactions readily proceed, the activating agent required for the iron complex was found to interfere with the LA. This problem could be circumvented by pre‐activating the original Knölker complex (Fe‐1) into the corresponding dicarbonyl mono‐acetonitrile iron species (Fe‐3). The pre‐activated iron catalyst deactivated after a few turn‐overs in transfer hydrogenation reactions with isopropyl alcohol; however, highly improved GVL yields were achieved under H2 pressure to a notable maximum of 570 turn‐overs for Fe‐3. Nevertheless, comparative screening experiments with various solvents and kinetic studies showed that Ru‐1 is still superior over Fe‐3 in terms of catalytic activity.
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