Abstract
Cu-ZrO2 is demonstrated to be a highly effective catalyst for the transfer hydrogenation of methyl levulinate to γ-valerolactone, using methanol as the hydrogen donor. The emergence of several new strategies for synthesising green methanol, underlines its potential as a sustainable hydrogen source for such transformations. Transfer hydrogenation of methyl levulinate over Cu-ZrO2 was determined to proceed through a two-step ‘hydrogen borrowing’ process. The first step involves methanol dehydrogenation (rate limiting) and the second, levulinate reduction. This proof-of-concept study demonstrates that methanol can be used effectively as a hydrogen source for such transformations when a suitable catalyst is employed.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Article number | 106430 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Catalysis Communications |
Volume | 164 |
Early online date | 15 Feb 2022 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2 Apr 2022 |
Keywords
- Biomass
- Cu-ZrO
- Green methanol
- Sustainable fuel
- Transfer hydrogenation