The
catalytic conversion of methyl and ethyl levulinates into γ-valerolactone
(GVL) by using methanol, ethanol, and 2-propanol as the H-donor/solvent,
promoted by the ZrO2 catalyst, is described as carried
out under both batch and gas-flow conditions. Under batch conditions,
2-propanol was found to be the best H-donor molecule, with ethyl levulinate
giving the highest yield in GVL. The reactions occurring under continuous
gas-flow conditions were found to be much more efficient, also showing
excellent yields in GVL when EtOH was used as the reducing agent.
These experiments clearly show that the ability to release hydrogen
from the alcoholic H-donor/solvent is the main factor driving CTH
processes, while the tendency to attack the esteric group is the key
step in the formation of transesterification products.
The development of safe and efficient H2 generation/storage materials toward a fuel-cell-based H2 economy as a long-term solution has recently received much attention.
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