Hydrogenation of levulinic acid to γ-valerolactone using ruthenium nanoparticles

The compound [Ru-3(CO)(12)] was used as precursor for the preparation of ruthenium nanoparticles of a typical size of <5 nm of diameter, without the use of additives. Such nanoparticles catalyzed the hydrogenation and cyclization of levulinic acid to selectively produce gamma-valerolactone in high yields, either using molecular hydrogen (H-2) or formic acid in water as reducing agents. (C) 2012 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.