Catalytic transfer hydrogenation of ethyl levulinate into γ-valerolactone over mesoporous Zr/B mixed oxides

A series of mesoporous acid–base bifunctional Zr/B mixed oxides with different molar ratios were prepared by a sol–gel method, and developed for conversion of ethyl levulinate (EL) to γ -valerolactone (GVL) by using alcohol as hydrogen source. The morphological structures and physico-chemical characteristics of the synthesized materials were identified by various techniques. A high GVL yield of 88.5% was achieved from EL in 2-propanol when Zr 1 B 1 was used. And acid–base sites played a synergic role in synthesizing GVL from EL as evident by poisoning experiments. Furthermore, the catalyst could be reused several times without significant loss of its catalytic activity.