Efficient hydrogenation of levulinic acid in water using a supported Ni–Sn alloy on aluminium hydroxide catalysts

Abstract

Efficient hydrogenation of levulinic acid (LA) into γ-valerolactone (GVL) in water using highly dispersed Ni–Sn(x)/AlOH (x = Ni/Sn ratio) was studied. Increasing the Sn amount in the Ni–Sn alloy up to 2.14 mmol g⁻¹ enhanced the yield of GVL, which slightly decreased when the Sn content was nearly 4 mmol g⁻¹ (feeding Ni/Sn = 1.0). A stoichiometric amount of GVL (>99%) was achieved by using Ni–Sn(x)/AlOH (x = 3.0 and 1.4) at 393 K for 120 min in H₂O. H₂-treated Ni–Sn(1.4)/AlOH consisting of Ni₃Sn₂ alloy species showed high selectivity towards GVL (>99% yield). The Ni–Sn(1.4)/AlOH catalyst was reusable for at least six consecutive runs without any significant loss of activity and selectivity.