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Hydrogenation of levulinic acid and γ-valerolactone: steps towards biofuels

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Abstract

Several bifunctional catalysts (Pt, Au, Ni supported on ZSM-5, zeolite Beta, silica and alumina) were evaluated for hydrogenation of levulinic acid (LA) and γ-valerolactone (GVL). Among these, Pt supported on parent- and desilicated-zeolite Beta showed better catalytic activity for hydrogenation of gamma valerolactone to valeric acid (VA) with >98 % selectivity. Noteworthy catalytic activity of Au supported on desilicated zeolite Beta in GVL to VA hydrogenation was observed. Other catalysts such as Pt/γ-alumina, Ni/desilicated zeolite Beta and Ni/SiO2 did not exhibit significant catalytic activity in GVL hydrogenation. Pt and Au-supported zeolite catalysts were also tested for hydrogenation of LA to GVL. Pt supported on zeolites decomposed formic acid (FA) to CO2 and H2 and in situ produced H2 hydrogenated LA to GVL. Pt impregnated desilicated zeolite Beta was found to retain its integrity even after prolonged exposure to hot VA solution and neither Pt nor Al leached into solution.

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Acknowledgments

Authors thank Prof. Dr. Regina Palkovits for helping with reaction mechanism. Further, they are indebted to Dr. CV Rode, NCL, Pune, India for many useful suggestions and ammonia TPD results and IIT Bombay, Mumbai for the ICP analyses.

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  1. Chemical Engineering Department, S.V. National Institute of Technology, Surat, 395007, India

    Sandip N. Derle & Parimal A. Parikh

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  1. Sandip N. Derle
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  2. Parimal A. Parikh
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Correspondence to Parimal A. Parikh.

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Derle, S.N., Parikh, P.A. Hydrogenation of levulinic acid and γ-valerolactone: steps towards biofuels. Biomass Conv. Bioref. 4, 293–299 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-013-0111-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-013-0111-5

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