One-pot conversion of furfural to alkyl levulinate over bifunctional Au-H4SiW12O40/ZrO2 without external H2. Issue 20 (15th August 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhu, Shanhui; Cen, Youliang; Guo, Jing; Chai, Jiachun; Wang, Jianguo; Fan, Weibin
• Is Part Of: Green chemistry. Volume 18:Issue 20(2016)
• Page Start: 5667
• Page End: 5675
• Publication Date: 2016-08-15
• Subjects: Environmental chemistry -- Industrial applications -- Periodicals; Environmental management -- Periodicals; 660
• DOI: 10.1039/c6gc01736c
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1463-9262

Abstract

Abstract : An unprecedented 80.2% yield of alkyl levulinate was obtained via one-pot conversion of furfural with 2-propanol over Au-H4 SiW12 O40 /ZrO2 . Abstract : Alkyl levulinate (AL) is an important biofuel additive and precursor for the synthesis of valuable γ-valerolactone. Conventionally, it is produced by furfural hydrogenation with pressured H2, followed by alcoholysis of the formed furfuryl alcohol (FAL). This work provides a novel strategy for the high-yield synthesis of AL via one-pot conversion of furfural with an alcohol over a metal-acid bi-functional catalyst without an external source of hydrogen. Furfural proceeded to transfer hydrogenation reaction using the alcohol as a H-donor over metal species, and then the formed FAL underwent acid-catalyzed alcoholysis to yield AL. The yield of AL reached 80.2% in the conversion of furfural with 2-propanol over Au-H4 SiW12 O40 /ZrO2 under mild conditions. Additionally, the catalyst characterization, reaction pathway, and reusability were well presented.