In Situ Generated Et₃SiI as a Metal‐Free Catalyst for the Room‐Temperature Synthesis of γ‐Valerolactone from Levulinic Acid

Abstract

γ-Valerolactone (GVL), an industrially important compound and green-solvent was synthesized using a metalfree method by I 2 /Et 3 SiH directly from levulinic acid at room temperature in good yield. Different types of keto-acids were also subjected to this methodology to synthesize the corresponding lactones. A 2-gram scale reaction was successfully carried out in good yield. Control experiments indicated that in situ generated Et 3 SiI is the active catalyst for this reaction.

Simulation of Furfural and Levulinic Acid Production from Lignocellulosic Biomass

“…Levulinic acid can be converted into various compounds such as 5bromolevulinic acid, ɣ-valerolactone (GVL), 2-methyltetrahydrofuran, valeric acid levulinate esters, methyl pyrrolidone, and others [8]. Many studies have been carried out on the production of ɣ-valerolactone as a potential biofuel from levulinic acid using solid catalysts [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17]. In 2022, global consumption of levulinic acid reached 3,436.9 tons and is expected to increase every year [18].…”