Conversion of levulinic acid and cellulose to γ-valerolactone over Raney-Ni catalyst using formic acid as a hydrogen donor

The present study aimed to investigate the conversion of levulinic acid (LA) and cellulose (DP similar to 450) to gamma-valerolactone (GVL) over Raney-Ni catalyst. In this process, hydrogenation was fulfilled using formic acid (FA) as the hydrogen donor. The highest LA conversion (100%) and GVL yield (68.5%) were obtained using LA:FA 1:4 ratio, Raney-Ni catalyst (20 mg/mmol of LA) and heating at 200 degrees C for 48 h. Under similar reaction conditions cellulose (DP similar to 450) was converted into GVL in 23.3% yield in a single reactor process. The addition of acidic co-catalysts such as Bronsted acids: H2SO4, Amberlyst-15 (H+) or Dowex 50WX8 to the reaction mixture did not improve the GVL yield. The SEM analysis of the Raney Ni-catalyst used in transformation of cellulose to GVL showed that catalyst surface gets contaminated with carbon deposits in the single reactor process.

Automated summary

The study investigated the conversion of levulinic acid (LA) and cellulose into gamma-valerolactone (GVL) using Raney-Ni catalyst. The optimal conditions yielded high conversion rates. The addition of acidic co-catalysts did not improve the GVL yield.