Catalytic transfer hydrogenation of ethyl levulinate into γ-valerolactone over air-stable skeletal cobalt catalyst

A fast and easy handled batch air diffusion method (BA) was developed to obtain a non-pyrophoric, air-stable skeletal Co catalyst (A-SCo) for catalytic transfer hydrogenation (CTH) of ethyl levulinate (EL) into gamma-valerolactone (GVL). A batch air diffusion method (BA) consumed the active adsorbed H-2 on the surface of skeletal Co (SCo) but maintained structure catalyst and avoided excessive oxidation of metallic Co, Ni and Al. The 96% yield of GVL was obtained over the A-SCo and HZSM-5 at 140 degrees C. Further study of CTH process shows that metallic state of A-SCo provides important active sites for dehydrogenation of i-PrOH, which is critical step for hydrogenation of EL. This study provides a simple, efficient method to prepare an air-stable skeletal metal catalyst for CTH and hydrogenation process.