Production of levulinic acid, furfural, and gamma valerolactone from C₅ and C₆ carbohydrates in mono- and biphasic systems using gamma-valerolactone as a solvent

摘要

A method to make levulinic acid (LA), furfural, or gamma-valerolactone (GVL). React cellulose (and/or other C₆ carbohydrates) or xylose (and/or other C₅ carbohydrates) or combinations thereof in a monophasic reaction medium comprising GVL and an acid; or (ii) a biphasic reaction system comprising an organic layer comprising GVL, and a substantially immiscible aqueous layer. At least a portion of the cellulose (and/or other C₆ carbohydrates), if present, is converted to LA and at least a portion of the xylose (and/or other C₅ carbohydrates), if present, is converted into furfural.