Catalytic Transfer Hydrogenation of Ethyl Levulinate into γ-Valerolactone Over Zirconium Oxide Derived from Zirconyl Nitrate

摘要

A series of zirconium based catalysts were synthesized to study the transfer hydrogenation of biomass derived ethyl levulinate into γ -valerolactone (GVL) using lower alcohols as hydrogen donors. The essential textural and chemical characteristics of prepared samples wereidentified by various techniques including SEM, XRD, NH_(3)-TPD, TGA, CO_(2)-TPD and nitrogen physisorption. Parameters such as hydrogen donor, catalyst type, temperature, stirring rate, and catalyst dosage were found to play a critical role in GVL production. A promising GVLyield of 98.3 mol% with a highest GVL formation rate at 5239.4 μ mol g~(–1)_(cat) h~(–1) was obtained in isopropanol at 433 K over zirconium oxide derived from zirconyl nitrate. The recycling experiments revealed that the zirconium oxide catalystderived from zirconyl nitrate presented relatively satisfied performance and stability.