Production of γ-valerolactone from ethyl levulinate over hydrothermally synthesized Sn-Beta under mild conditions

Production of γ-valerolactone (GVL) from ethyl levulinate (EL) was studied by catalytic transfer hydrogenation (CTH) strategy under mild conditions. Hydrothermally synthesized Sn-Beta zeolites with high crystallinity show high catalytic activity and selectivity. With isopropanol as hydrogen source, 97.1 % GVL yield with 100 % selectivity was given under 110 °C. Crystallization time for synthesis of Sn-Beta showed great effect on the catalytic performance. Sn-Beta- x d catalysts with longer crystallization time (≥7 days) have high crystallinity and better catalytic performance. Firstly, longer crystallization time is necessary for the formation of large amount of Lewis acid sites which catalyze the conversion of EL to GVL. Secondly, high level of silanol groups in Sn-Beta has negative effect on the catalytic performance. High crystallinity means the amount of silanol groups in Sn-Beta- x d at a low level which is favorable for this CTH reaction. Meanwhile, this is why hydrothermally synthesized Sn-Beta shows higher catalytic activity than post-synthesized Sn-Beta in the conversion of EL to GVL. Furthermore, the catalyst was reusable.