Selective Synthesis of Butadiene from γ-Valerolactone over ZSM-35 Zeolite

The utilization of renewable biomass using γ-valerolactone (GVL) as a platform is a sustainable and important route for the production of valuable chemicals. Herein, the selective transformation of GVL to 1,3-butadiene over zeolite catalysts under ambient pressure and continuous flow conditions was reported. Effects of zeolite topologies, acid density, reaction temperature, and contact time on the GVL conversion were systematically investigated. A 1,3-butadiene selectivity of 71% and GVL conversion of 100% were achieved over the NaZSM-35 catalyst at 400 °C. Further investigations revealed that the GVL-to-butadiene reaction might proceed by the following reaction route: GVL was first converted to pentenoic acid (PEA) and then dehydrated into acylium ions, further converting to 1,3-butadiene by decarbonylation. This work provided a promising route for the sustainable and selective production of 1,3-butadiene from renewable materials.