Conversion of Biomass-Derived Levulinic Acid into γ-Valerolactone Using Methanesulfonic Acid: An Optimization Study Using Response Surface Methodology

γ-Valerolactone (GVL) is a platform chemical for the synthesis of both biofuels and biochemicals. The LA production from depithed sugarcane bagasse (DSB) resulted in 55% yield, resulting was used to produce GVL. effect process parameters, namely, temperature (25–200 °C), time (2–10 h), catalyst loading (0.5–5 g) were investigated GVL LA. Thereafter, optimized conditions derived yielded 77.6%. hydrogen required reduction formed situ by formic acid triethylamine presence methanesulfonic (MsOH). Different solvents (including water alcohols) also tested determine their on highest 78.6%. types catalysts, which included mineral acids ionic liquids, provide benchmark against MsOH. yield DSB-derived 1.0% lower than commercial sample generated DSB has potential replace fossil fuel-derived