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Homogeneous Catalyzed Reactions of Levulinic Acid: To γ‐Valerolactone and Beyond
Author(s) -
Omoruyi Uwaila,
Page Samuel,
Hallett Jason,
Miller Philip W.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
chemsuschem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.412
H-Index - 157
eISSN - 1864-564X
pISSN - 1864-5631
DOI - 10.1002/cssc.201600517
Subject(s) - levulinic acid , catalysis , homogeneous , chemistry , homogeneous catalysis , organic chemistry , biomass (ecology) , lignocellulosic biomass , solvent , chemical engineering , hydrolysis , physics , oceanography , engineering , thermodynamics , geology
Abstract Platform chemicals derived from lignocellulosic plant biomass are viewed as a sustainable replacement for crude oil‐based feedstocks. Levulinic acid (LA) is one such biomass‐derived chemical that has been widely studied for further catalytic transformation to γ‐valerolactone (GVL), an important ‘green’ fuel additive, solvent, and fine chemical intermediate. Although the transformation of LA to GVL can be achieved using heterogeneous catalysis, homogeneous catalytic systems that operate under milder reactions, give higher selectivities and can be recycled continuously are attracting considerable attention. A range of new homogeneous catalysts have now been demonstrated to efficiently convert LA to GVL and to transform LA directly to other value‐added chemicals such as 1,4‐pentanediol (1,4‐PDO) and 2‐methyltetrahydrofuran (2‐MTHF). This Minireview covers recent advances in the area of homogeneous catalysis for the conversion of levulinic acid and levulinic ester derivatives to GVL and chemicals beyond GVL.