Hydrogenation of Biomass-derived γ-Valerolactone to Form 1,4-Pentanediol over Co/ZrO2 Catalyst

Abstract

Hydrogenation of γ-valerolactone (GVL) to form 1,4-pentanediol (1,4-PDO) was performed over Co/ZrO2 catalysts with a Co metal loading of 15 wt. %. The calcination of Co/ZrO2 at high temperatures significantly promoted the catalytic activity irrespective of the decrease in the specific surface area. The 750 °C-calcined Co/ZrO2 with Co2+ species exhibited a high catalytic performance: a GVL conversion of 86.1% with a 1,4-PDO selectivity of 97.2% was achieved at 165 °C under 5 MPa H2 pressure.

Hydrogenolysis of biomass‐derived levulinic acid to produce 1,4‐pentanediol over Co/ZrO2 catalyst

“…The Co/ZrO 2 catalyst has been proven effective in the hydrogenation of γ-valerolactone to form 1,4-pentanediol. 20 However, we found that the Co/ZrO 2 catalyst was also effective for the direct hydrogenolysis of levulinic acid to form 1,4-pentanediol. In addition, the reaction results suggested that the hydrogenation of γ-valerolactone to form 1,4-pentanediol is the rate-determining step.…”

“…17,18 Among the products, 1,4-pentanediol is an attractive chemical, which can be used as a monomer in the production of polyesters, polyurethanes and alkyd resins. [19][20][21][22] Due to the important uses of 1,4-pentanediol, the catalytic conversion of levulinic acid or its derivers to form 1,4-pentanediol has attracted great research interest.…”

“…25 Zhu et al found that a ZrO 2 -supported Co catalyst was effective for the hydrogenation of γ-valerolactone to form 1,4-pentanediol, and 86.1% conversion of γ-valerolactone with a 1,4-pentanediol selectivity of 97.2% were achieved at 165 °C under 5 MPa H 2 pressure. 20 Wu et al prepared a Cu/MgAlO catalyst, which provided a γ-valerolactone conversion of 93% with a 1,4-pentanediol selectivity of 99% at 160 °C and 5 MPa H 2 pressure. 26 A ZnCu/Al 2 O 3 catalyst was effective for the liquid-phase hydrogenation of γ-valerolactone, and 97% selectivity of 1,4-pentanediol was obtained at 200 °C and 4 MPa H 2 pressure.…”

“…Levulinic acid can be converted to produce a variety of useful products, such as 2‐methyltetrahydrofuran, 7,8 γ ‐valerolactone, 9,10 angelica lactones, 11,12 1,4‐pentanediol, 13‐15 succinic acid 16 and 5‐nonanone 17,18 . Among the products, 1,4‐pentanediol is an attractive chemical, which can be used as a monomer in the production of polyesters, polyurethanes and alkyd resins 19‐22 . Due to the important uses of 1,4‐pentanediol, the catalytic conversion of levulinic acid or its derivers to form 1,4‐pentanediol has attracted great research interest.…”

“…Zhu et al . found that a ZrO 2 ‐supported Co catalyst was effective for the hydrogenation of γ ‐valerolactone to form 1,4‐pentanediol, and 86.1% conversion of γ ‐valerolactone with a 1,4‐pentanediol selectivity of 97.2% were achieved at 165 °C under 5 MPa H 2 pressure 20 . Wu et al .…”