Development of catalysts for the hydrogenation of levulinic acid to gamma-valerolactone in the framework of the problem of cellulose conversion into valuable chemicals

Abstract

Gamma-valerolactone (GVL) is a starting reagent for the production of fuels and fine chemicals. GVL can be used as a solvent, as part of an electrolyte, for the production of chemicals and fuel additives. It can be converted to liquid fuels such as valerian biofuels, liquid alkanes or valuable chemical intermediates such as 1,4-pentanediol or alkylpentenoates being biopolymer precursors. The production of GVL is based mainly on the hydrogenation of levulinic acid (LA), which can be obtained directly from cellulose by acid hydrolysis. This article describes the development of heterogeneous catalysts for the targeted conversion of LA to GVL. In order to analyze both achievements and unresolved problems in this area the emphasis was placed on the discussion of systems based on noble and non-noble metal catalysts, hydrogenation by means of hydrogen transfer.