Hydrogenation of levulinic acid to γ-valerolactone using a homogeneous titanium catalyst at mild conditions

Abstract

A titanium-based catalytic system using the commercially available titanocene complex [Cp2TiCl2], was developed for hydrogenation of levulinic acid to γ-valerolactone (GVL), using mild reaction conditions (100 °C and 100 psi) and excellent yields (>99 %). Key mechanistic insights, including the main species involved in the catalytic cycle, are also documented.