Chapter 7 - γ-Valerolactone—an excellent solvent and a promising building block

Abstract

γ-Valerolactone (GVL) is considered as one of the promising biomass-derived platform chemicals. Employing GVL as an outstanding solvent in biomass conversion and traditional organic synthesis is currently gaining momentum from the perspective of green chemistry. In this chapter, advances in the formation of furfural, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, levulinic acid, and fermentable sugars in GVL are carefully summarized. GVL is also an excellent medium for the fractionation of lignocellulosic biomass because it is able to dissolve lignin and facilitate the deconstruction of cellulose. In addition, GVL is hailed as an all-purpose building block for the production of carbon-based chemicals, polymeric materials, and liquid fuels. In this chapter, the chemistry of the transformation of GVL into value-added chemicals (such as valeric acid and 1,4-pentanediol), and polymeric monomers (such as α-methylene-γ-valerolactone and ε-caprolactam) is thoroughly discussed. Moreover, the synthesis of liquid fuels (such as C8–C18-branched/straight-chain hydrocarbons) from GVL is also introduced in this chapter.