Indium(III) triflate promoted synthesis of alkyl levulinates from furyl alcohols and furyl aldehydes

• Low loadings of In(OTf)3 catalyze alcoholysis reactions of furfuryl alcohol.
• HMF alcoholysis reactions proceed efficiently under higher In(OTf)3 loadings.
• Moderate yields of butyl levulinate are also achieved from furfural.
• The catalyst can be recycled without a significant decrease in catalytic activity.

A facile protocol for the alcoholysis of furfuryl alcohol into levulinate esters has been developed employing low catalyst loadings of indium(III) triflate. This method provides a rapid and efficient route for the synthesis of these useful materials. The alcoholysis reactions of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), furfural and furfural dimethylacetal were also investigated under these reaction conditions.