A review about GVL production from lignocellulose: Focusing on the full components utilization

gamma-Valerolactone (GVL) is considered to be one of the most promising biomass platform compounds, and it can be synthesized using different reaction pathways from cellulose and hemicellulose, as well as their degradation derivatives. Based on the production of GVL and a preference for using whole biomass components, this paper comprehensively summarizes the catalytic system and reaction mechanism of each stage towards synthesizing sugar, levulinic acid, furfural (FAL) and GVL from the important biomass components cellulose and hemicellulose. The progress of each production process is analysed, and the research hotspots in the production stage are summarized. In particular, we compared the hydrogenation hydrolysis process of GVL using FAL and levulinic acid from cellulose and hemicellulose derivatives. In addition, this paper summarizes the application of the third largest component of lignin biomass in GVL production and proposes the synthesis of GVL by one-pot multi-step series reactions of cellulose and hemicellulose biomass.