Esterification of levulinic acid over Sn(II) exchanged Keggin heteropolyacid salts: An efficient route to obtain bioaditives

In this paper, we describe a process to add value to the biomass derivatives (i.e., levulinic acid), converting it to bioadditives over solid Sn(II) exchanged Keggin heteropolyacid salts. These solid catalysts are an attractive alternative to the traditional soluble and corrosive Bronsted acid catalysts. Among Sn(II) heteropoly salts, the Sn1.5PW12O40 was the most active and selective catalyst, achieving high conversions (ca. 90 %) and selectivity (90-97 %) for alkyl esters and angelica lactone, the main reaction products. The impacts of the main reaction parameters (i.e., catalyst load, temperature, and the molar ratio of alcohol to acid) were investigated. The use of renewable raw material, and an efficient and recyclable catalyst are the main positive features of this process. The Sn1.5PW12O40 catalyst was easily recovered and reused without loss activity.

Automated summary

This paper describes a process to convert biomass derivatives into bioadditives using solid Sn1.5PW12O40 catalysts, which exhibit high activity and selectivity for the main reaction products. The impacts of the main reaction parameters were investigated, highlighting the use of renewable raw materials and efficient, recyclable catalysts as the main positive features of this process.