Hydrogenation of levulinic acid to γ-valerolactone in dioxane over mixed MgO–Al2O3 supported Ni catalyst

•Ni/MgxAlyO(x+1.5y) possessed larger surface areas than those of Ni/MgO and Ni/Al2O3.•Ni/MgxAlyO(x+1.5y) were more active for LA hydrogenation than Ni/MgO and Ni/Al2O3.•Yield of GVL at 160 °C, 1 h and 3 MPa H2 reached 99.7% over Ni/MgAlO2.5.•Ni/MgAlO2.5 could be recycled without obvious loss of its initial activity.

Mixed MgO–Al2O3 (with different Mg/Al ratio) supported nickel catalysts were prepared via co-precipitation method and used for hydrogenation of levulinic acid to γ-valerolactone under mild condition. Characterization results indicated that mixed MgO–Al2O3 supported Ni catalysts possessed bigger surface area than that of Ni/MgO and Ni/Al2O3, and Ni dispersed highly on the surface of mixed MgO–Al2O3 support. It was found that mixed MgO–Al2O3 supported Ni catalysts were more active and selective for the hydrogenation of levulinic acid to γ-valerolactone than that of Ni/MgO and Ni/Al2O3, and the best yield of γ-valerolactone at 160 °C, 1 h and 3 MPa H2 reached 99.7% over Ni/MgAlO2.5, and Ni/Mg2Al2O5 could be recycled without obvious loss of its initial activity.

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