Reaction mechanism of aqueous-phase conversion of γ-valerolactone (GVL) over a Ru/C catalyst

130The conversion of γ-valerolactone on ruthenium, aqueous phase (473 K, 1000 psi H2) proceeds via a common surface intermediate CH3CH(O*)-(CH2)2CO* that subsequently can undergo decarbonylation, hydrogenation, or deoxygenation to yield 2-butanol, pentanediol, or 2-pentanol, respectively.