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.