Production of γ-valerolactone from furfural by a single-step process using Sn-Al-Beta zeolites: Optimizing the catalyst acid properties and process conditions

• Direct production of GVL from furfural with Sn-Al-Beta zeolites in a single-step process.
• Cascade of transfer hydrogenation and hydrolysis of furfural to GVL over Sn-Al-Beta.
• Sn-Al-Beta is more active than a physical mixture of Sn-Beta and Al-Beta.
• The degree of dealumination and the tin incorporation method greatly affect the catalyst selectivity.
• Using elevated temperatures and C3-C4 secondary alcohols as hydrogen donors enhance the GVL production.

A bifunctional Sn-Al-Beta zeolite which possesses isolated Lewis and Brønsted acid sites was prepared by a post-synthesis procedure and applied to the one-pot conversion of furfural to γ-valerolactone (GVL), a value-added chemical. Sn-Al-Beta was capable of catalyzing a cascade of the transfer hydrogenation and hydrolysis of furfural to GVL by the interplay of Lewis and Brønsted acid sites. The degree of dealumination and the tin-incorporation method largely influence the acid properties of the catalyst and the catalyst selectivity. A high yield of GVL up to 60% was obtained with Sn-Al-Beta 7 (Si/Sn = 63 and Si/Al = 473) at 180 °C in 2-butanol.

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