A straightforward preparation of levulinic esters from biorenewable levulinic acid using methanesulfonic acid supported on silica gel (MSA-SG) as an efficient heterogeneous catalyst. (2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Vinod, Nivedha; Bandibairanahalli Onkarappa, Sharath; Madhwaraj Girija, Viraj; Dutta, Saikat
• Is Part Of: Materials today. Volume 76(2023)Part 1
• Page Start: 18
• Page End: 24
• Publication Date: 2023
• Subjects: Alkyl levulinate -- Biofuels -- Esterification -- Heterogeneous catalysis -- Renewable synthesis; Materials science -- Congresses -- Periodicals; 620.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.matpr.2022.08.389
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2214-7853

Abstract

Abstract: The present work reports methanesulfonic acid supported on silica gel (MSA-SG) as an inexpensive heterogeneous solid acid catalyst for the high-yielding production of various alkyl levulinates from biomass-derived levulinic acid. The catalyst was characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM-EDX). The reactions were conducted in a batch-type glass pressure reactor under conventional heating. The esterification reaction was optimized on temperature, duration, and catalyst loading. The optimized reaction conditions (120 °C, 8 h, 8 wt% MSA-SG) afforded methyl- to butyl levulinate in excellent isolated yields (≥90 %). The catalyst was filtered, and the products were purified by simply evaporating the excess alcohol reagent.