Transfer hydrogenation of methyl levulinate into gamma-valerolactone, 1,4-pentanediol, and 1-pentanol over Cu–ZrO2 catalyst under solvothermal conditions

•A simple solvothermal method was introduced into the sequential conversion of methyl levulinate (ML).•Various yields of diverse products were obtained by tuning a series of factors.•Catalyst 2.5-CZ-550 showed a better performance because of its rich acid content and Cu0 species on the surface.

Diverse products were obtained from transfer hydrogenation of methyl levulinate (ML) by adjusting different factors under solvothermal conditions. Excellent yields of gamma-valerolactone (GVL, 75%), 1,4-pentanediol (1,4-PDO, 39%), and 1-pentanol (1-PAO, 13.8%) could be obtained using zirconium-supported copper catalyst calcined at 550 °C and under optimal conditions.

Graphical abstractRelatively mild and operational solvothermal conditions were used for hydrogenation of ML to GVL, 1,4-PDO, and 1-PAO over zirconium-supported copper catalysts.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide