An overview of the obtaining of biomass-derived gamma-valerolactone from levulinic acid or esters without H2 supply

Gamma-valerolactone (GVL) is a highly reactive keto-lactone and promising platform biomolecule, used as an additive for food fuels, green solvent, fuels precursor, among others. Its production from biomass usually involves hydrogenation subsequent cyclization of levulinic acid or its esters. The process conventional requires high pressures temperatures, external hydrogen source, scarce noble/precious materials catalysts. However, it could be produced under mild conditions, using bifunctional metal-acid catalysts with metal dispersion meso microporosity, surface area, temperatures lower than 200 °C, ≤ 1MPa, secondary alcohols (such isopropanol) donors. catalytic transfer followed by (CTHC) (LA) esters (LE) to produce GVL H donor great alternative. Variables involved in CTHC such raw material, time, temperature, type catalyst, mainly transition metals their combinations, are reviewed this work.