Work

Studies on the Reactions of Lactone Intermediates Derived from Levulinic Acid: Telescoped Routes to Higher Levulinate Ester Biofuels

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The development of efficient strategies for the synthesis of levulinate esters is of significant current interest due to their potential as biofuels and fuel additives. Herein, we report a novel strategy to access levulinate esters derived from higher alcohols directly from levulinic acid through the in situ generation of lactone intermediates employing commercial heterogeneous catalysts, such as Amberlyst-15. This strategy employs a telescoped approach in which the lactonization/ring-opening reactions are combined into an operationally simple one-pot procedure. This strategy is advantageous as it employs a readily available and inexpensive catalyst and proceeds in short reaction times to produce excellent yields of higher levulinate esters with high selectivity. Furthermore, the Amberlyst-15 catalyst is fully recyclable and can be reused without loss of activity or selectivity.

Source: ACS Omega

DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.4c08315

Authors: Matthew P. Aldred, Thomas E. Davies, Stuart H. Taylor, Andrew E. Graham

Institutions: University of South Wales, Cardiff University

Language: English

Topic: Catalysis for Biomass Conversion

Subfield: Biomedical Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Responsible consumption and production

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,935