Hydrogenation of Levulinic Acid to γ-Valerolactone in the Presence of Ru-Containing Catalysts Based on Carbon Material "Sibunit"

Nanostructured 1 and 3% catalysts containing ruthenium nanoparticles supported on the initial and oxidized at different temperatures graphite-like carbon material Sibunit-4 prepared. A features of this support are mcsoporous texture, hydrothermal stability and the presence of surface oxygen-containing functional groups responsible for the distribution of Ru nanoparticles and the catalyst acidic properties. The catalysts characterized using methods TEM, XPS, N-2 adsorption, pHpzc and tested in the hydrogenation of levulinic acid to gamma-valerolactone. It was found that the reaction rate and GVL selectivity are influenced by solvent choice, fractional composition, and acidic properties of the support. The obtained catalysts provide high activity in the reaction of direct hydrogenation of levulinic acid to gamma-valerolactone (GVL yield 98 mol.%, At 160 degrees C, 1.2 MPa H-2) and high productivity (15.9 gGVL/gCat.). Obtained catalyst can be reused several times without noticeable loss of activity.