One-pot preparation of methyl levulinate from catalytic alcoholysis of cellulose in near-critical methanol

One-pot preparation of methyl levulinate (MLA) from cellulose in near-critical methanol was studied. Acids containing SO3H group were proven to be effective catalysts for the production of MLA from cellulose's catalytic alcoholysis. The effects of different reaction conditions, such as an initial cellulose concentration of 10-30 g/L, a temperature range from 170 to 190 degrees C, and a sulfuric acid concentration of 0.01-0.03 mol/L, on the production of MLA were investigated. The results showed the reaction temperature and acid concentration significantly affected the process of cellulose alcoholysis and the yield of MLA. A high yield of up to 55% MLA was achieved at 190 degrees C for 5 h, using 0.02 mol/L H2SO4 as a catalyst. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.