Selective hydrogenation of levulinic acid to γ-valerolactone using in situ generated ruthenium nanoparticles derived from Ru–NHC complexes. Issue 8 (25th January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tay, Boon Ying; Wang, Cun; Phua, Pim Huat; Stubbs, Ludger Paul; Huynh, Han Vinh
• Is Part Of: Dalton transactions. Volume 45:Issue 8(2016)
• Page Start: 3558
• Page End: 3563
• Publication Date: 2016-01-25
• Subjects: Chemistry, Inorganic -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Physical and theoretical -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Inorganic -- Periodicals; 546.05
• DOI: 10.1039/c5dt03366g
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1477-9226

Abstract

Abstract : Ruthenium(ii ) NHC complexes give rise to highly active and selective ruthenium nanoparticles for the conversion of levulinic acid to γ-valerolactone in water. Abstract : Hydrogenation of levulinic acid (LA) to γ-valerolactone (GVL) was studied by using mono- and bidentate p -cymene ruthenium(ii ) N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes as catalyst precursors. In water, all complexes were found to be reduced in situ to form ruthenium nanoparticles (RuNPs) with a high hydrogenation activity. In organic solvents, complexes with monodentate NHC ligands also formed nanoparticles, while complexes with bidentate ligands gave rise to stable homogeneous catalysts with moderate hydrogenation activities.