HYDROGENATION CATALYST OF LEVULINIC ACID/ESTER, LACTONE SYNTHESIS REACTION USING THE SAME, AND LACTONE PRODUCTION FACILITY

摘要

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a low-cost non-chromium-based catalyst with which alkyl-substituted gamma-butyrolactones are obtained from levulinic acids and/or levulinic acid esters especially obtained from vegetable biomass raw materials with high reaction selectivity and a high yield, to provide a method for economically producing the alkyl-substituted gamma-butyrolactones from levulinic acid compounds with high selectivity and a high yield by using the catalyst, and to provide an apparatus for producing the alkyl-substituted gamma-butyrolactones.;SOLUTION: A catalyst in the form of an oxide composite including copper oxide, zinc oxide, and/or aluminum oxide is used as a catalyst for producing 5-alkyl-gamma-butyrolactone by hydrogenation and cyclization of levulinic acid and/or a levulinic acid ester. A synthesis of lactones is performed by using hydrogen gas in a vapor phase in the presence of the catalyst and in the presence of the raw material and solvent vapor.;COPYRIGHT: (C)2014,JPO&INPIT