Effect of different hydrogen donors on the catalytic conversion of levulinic acid to γ-valerolactone over non-noble metal catalysts

Biomass-based gamma-valerolactone (GVL) can be prepared from inexpensive and easily available carbohydrates through the way of catalytic conversion and selective hydrogenation, and as an important chemical intermediate with the significant potential for the synthesis of high value-added chemicals and food additives. In view of the high costs for molecular hydrogen (H2) storage and safety protection, researchers have been putting much more effort on the synthesis of GVL by replacing H2 with formic acid or alcohols as the hydrogen donors. On account of the recent advances, this review summarized and analyzed the achievements and obstacles on preparing GVL from levulinic acid and its derivatives through various catalytic systems, especially with regard to the merits and demerits on the different types of hydrogen donors over sorts of non-noble metal catalysts, and some suggestions for enhancing the reliability and effectiveness on this conversion process have also been provided.