Hydrogenation of levulinic acid to γ-valerolactone in dioxane over mixed MgO–Al2O3 supported Ni catalyst

Mixed MgO–Al 2 O 3 (with different Mg/Al ratio) supported nickel catalysts were prepared via co-precipitation method and used for hydrogenation of levulinic acid to γ-valerolactone under mild condition. Characterization results indicated that mixed MgO–Al 2 O 3 supported Ni catalysts possessed bigger surface area than that of Ni/MgO and Ni/Al 2 O 3 , and Ni dispersed highly on the surface of mixed MgO–Al 2 O 3 support. It was found that mixed MgO–Al 2 O 3 supported Ni catalysts were more active and selective for the hydrogenation of levulinic acid to γ-valerolactone than that of Ni/MgO and Ni/Al 2 O 3 , and the best yield of γ-valerolactone at 160   °C, 1   h and 3   MPa H 2 reached 99.7% over Ni/MgAlO 2.5 , and Ni/Mg 2 Al 2 O 5 could be recycled without obvious loss of its initial activity.