Method for producing gamma-valerolactone from levulinic acid

摘要

The present invention relates to a process for producing gamma valerolactone (GVL) from levulinic acid (LA), the process comprising: a) hydrogenation in the liquid phase and a solid catalyst system comprising a metal and a support. LA is applied to provide a first reaction mixture comprising GVL, hydroxypentanoic acid (4HPA), and water; b) removing water from said first reaction mixture; c) obtained in step b) Subjecting the resulting mixture to a further reaction under conditions suitable to convert said 4-HPA to GVL, resulting in a further reaction mixture. Steps b) and c) can be integrated. Optionally, water can be removed from the further reaction mixture. The method may comprise the step of recycling the additional reaction mixture back to step (b), optionally at least partially dehydrated. This is particularly advantageous when the first reaction mixture is low in levulinic acid or does not even contain levulinic acid. Alternatively, the additional reaction mixture or the at least partially dehydrated additional reaction mixture can be subjected to a distillation step, whereby distillate can be collected and GVL can be recovered. [Selection figure] None