Kinetics of Levulinic Acid Formation from Glucose Decomposition at High Temperature1

Levulinic acid is a kind of new green platform chemical with wide application. The kinetics of levulinic acid formation from glucose decomposition at high temperature was investigated. Glucose containing 1%, 3% or 5% H2SO4 was treated at 170°C or 190°C. For the various experimental conditions assayed, the time-courses of glucose and glucose degradation products (including 5-hydroxymethylfurfural and levulinic acid) were established. These variables were correlated with the reaction time based on the equations derived from a pseudo-homogeneous, first-order kinetic model, which provided a satisfactory interpretation of the experimental results. The set of kinetic parameters from regression of experimental data provided useful information for understanding the levulinic acid formation mechanism.