Current Approaches to Alkyl Levulinates via Efficient Valorization of Biomass Derivatives

Recent advances on bifunctional catalysts for one-pot conversion of furfural to γ-valerolactone

γ-Valerolactone (GVL) is one of the most valuable compounds derived from furfural (FAL), which has been industrially produced from agricultural byproducts like corn cobs. It is extremely challenging to synthesize GVL from FAL efficiently via a one-pot cascade reaction due to the need for multiple active sites in a single pot. By focusing on the aspects of one-pot synthesis of GVL from FAL, the authors aim to shed light on the rational design and utilization of environmentally friendly bifunctional catalysts with high efficiency in this reaction. Perspectives regarding future research opportunities in bi- or multi-functional catalysts for one-pot GVL synthesis are also discussed.

Titania Nanotubes-Bonded Sulfamic Acid as an Efficient Heterogeneous Catalyst for the Synthesis of n-Butyl Levulinate

The titania nanotubes-bonded sulfamic acid (TNTs-NHSO₃H) catalyst was designed and successfully fabricated by the post-synthesis modification method. The as-prepared catalyst was characterized by a variety of characterization techniques, including Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, and thermogravimetry-differential thermal gravimetry (TG-DTG). The crystal structure of the TNTs still maintained during the modification process. Although the BET surface area was decreased, the amount of Brønsted acid sites can be efficiently fabricated on the TNTs. The catalytic activity of TNTs-NHSO₃H was examined for the synthesis of n-butyl levulinate (BL) from levulinic acid (LA) and furfuryl alcohol (FA). A relatively high selectivity (99.6%) at 99.3% LA conversion was achieved for esterification of levulinic acid owing to the strong Brønsted acidity sites. And also, the TNTs-NHSO₃H catalyst exhibited a higher reactivity for alcoholysis of FA and the yield of BL reached 90.4% with 100% FA conversion was obtained under the mild conditions.