A combo Zr–zeolite and Zr(OH)4 mixture composition for one–pot production of γ–valerolactone from furfural
Bo Liu, Xiaozhou Chen, Yaxuan Xu, Congzhen Qiao, Zongjing Lu, Yajie Tian
Abstract
The one–pot cascade transformation of biomass–derived furfural (FUR) to γ–valerolactone (GVL) has attracted great attention but always facing relative low reaction rates. In this work, a combo ZrO 2 supported on ZSM–5 nanosheet (ZrO 2 / NS ) and Zr( OH ) 4 were mixed as a hybrid catalysts system, which was prepared by impregnation and precipitation, respectively. Then the catalytic system was used for conversion of FUR to produce GVL through catalytic transfer hydrogenation in isopropanol. NS zeolite with hierarchical pores promoted the dispersion of ZrO 2 and exposed surface assisted the conversion of FUR to isopropyl levulinate (IPL). Moreover, the addition of Zr(OH) 4 facilitated the cascade transformation of the intermediate IPL to GVL through the enhanced adsorption of IPL and isopropanol with the cooperation of basic sites. The ZrO 2 /NS and Zr(OH) 4 catalyst system with optimized proportion delivers >90 wt% yield of GVL at 180 °C after 2h reaction, with generation rates of GVL ( R GVL ) up to 9.2 mmol g −1 h −1 .