One-pot synthesis of lactones from ketoacids involving microwave heating and sodium borohydride: application in biomass conversion

Abstract

A metal-free one-pot cascade method involving NaBH₄ and microwave (MW)-heating efficiently synthesized lactones, including the industrially significant γ-valerolactone at 90% yield. The process directly converts methyl levulinate, succinic acid and a wide range of aliphatic and aromatic ketoacids, in H₂O or THF, proceeding via reduction, COOH proton exchange, cyclization, and dehydration, showing promise for biomass conversion.