A practical and efficient synthesis of methyl levulinate from cellulosic biomass catalyzed by an aluminum-based mixed acid catalyst system

Abstract

Methyl levulinate is a promising building block which can be derived from cellulosic biomass. In this paper, a combination of aluminum compounds and organic sulfonic acids was found to be an efficient catalyst system for direct methyl levulinate synthesis from both microcrystalline cellulose and wood powder. Electrospray ionization mass analysis revealed the formation of aluminum sulfonate complexes in the reaction solution. The reaction properties of this catalyst system suggested that cooperative catalysis of aluminum sulfonates and organic sulfonic acids in methanol was responsible for the efficient formation of methyl levulinate.