Efficient conversion of cellulose to methyl levulinate over heteropoly acid promoted by Sn-Beta zeolite

Abstract One-pot conversion of cellulose to valued-added platform chemicals such as alkyl levulinate is a promising and challenging process of biomass utilization due to the insolubility of cellulose in alcohol. In this work, commercial heteropoly acid combined with postsynthesized Sn-Beta zeolite was employed to transform cellulose to methyl levulinate (MLE) in one pot. The synergistic catalysis of the homogeneous strong Brønsted (B) acid and the solid strong Lewis (L) acid can effectively realize the depolymerization of solid cellulose and the subsequent isomerization, dehydration and hydration steps to MLE. 55% and 62% of MLE yields were obtained from α-cellulose and microcrystalline cellulose, respectively, at 160 °C for 10 h. Various carbohydrates besides cellulose can also be efficiently converted to MLE in high yields over the bifunctional catalyst system. The effects of the amount of B acid and L acid, the reaction temperature and time and the amount of cellulose on the production of MLE were investigated in detail. Finally, the reaction pathway of cellulose to MLE was revealed. Recyclability tests indicated that the binary catalyst can be reused without decrease of catalytic activity. Graphic abstract