Microwave-assisted reduction of levulinic acid with alcohols producing gamma-valerolactone in the presence of a Ru/C catalyst

作者：A Shaal Mohammad Ghith; Calin Marc; Delidovich Irina; Palkovits Regina^*

来源：Catalysis Communications, 2016, 75: 65-68.

DOI：10.1016/j.catcom.2015.12.001

• Microwave
• Hydrogenation
• gamma-Valerolactone
• Levulinic acid
• Alkyl levulinates
• Ruthenium

gamma-Valerolactone can be synthesized by reduction of levulinic add and its esters in the presence of secondary alcohols as hydrogen donors and Ru/C as catalyst. The reaction rate increases when using microwave heating. Quantitative formation of gamma-valerolactone was observed within 25 min at 160 degrees C under microwave heating based on levulinic acid and i-propanol. The reaction appears to proceed via a dehydrogenation-hydrogenation sequence.