Journal
CATALYSTS
Volume 10, Issue 6, Pages -Publisher
MDPI
DOI: 10.3390/catal10060678
Keywords
biomass valorization; levulinic acid; gamma-valerolactone (GVL); zirconium; beta zeolite; fixed bed; continuous flow
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Funding
- Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities [RTI2018-094918-B-C42]
- Regional Government of Madrid [P2018/EMT-4344]
- University Rey Juan Carlos [M2181-Biocavi]
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The one-pot conversion of biomass-derived platform molecules such as levulinic acid (LA) and furfural (FAL) into gamma-valerolactone (GVL) is challenging because of the need for adequate multi-functional catalysts and high-pressure gaseous hydrogen. As a more sustainable alternative, here we describe the transfer hydrogenation of LA to GVL using isopropanol as a hydrogen donor over a Zr-modified beta zeolite catalyst in a continuous fixed-bed reactor. A stable sustained production of GVL was achieved from the levulinic acid, with both high LA conversion (ca. 95%) and GVL yield (ca. 90%), for over at least 20 days in continuous operation at 170 degrees C. Importantly, the small decay in activity can be advantageously overcome by the means of a simple in situ thermal regeneration in the air atmosphere, leading to a complete recovery of the catalyst activity. Key to this outstanding result is the use of a Zr-modified dealuminated beta zeolite with a tailored Lewis/Bronsted acid sites ratio, which can synergistically catalyze the tandem steps of hydrogen transfer and acid-catalyzed transformations, leading to such a successful and stable production of GVL from LA.
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