Continuous Flow Alcoholysis of Furfuryl Alcohol to Alkyl Levulinates Using Zeolites

The present work explores the catalytic activity of various zeolites for the production of methyl levulinates from hemicellulose derived furfuryl alcohol and explores the performance of H-ZSM-5-50 zeolite in continuous flow alcoholysis. Methyl levulinate yields up to 80% were achieved at 170 °C (50 bar) using a high load (1.6 M furfuryl alcohol) feed at 0.2 mL min-1 flow rate. Angelica lactones were produced in significant amounts as one of the side products, albeit in lower amounts in continuous flow mode. Catalyst deactivation occurred at high furfuryl alcohol load through formation of pore blocking polyfurfuryl alcohols. The zeolites showed good reusability after regeneration at 500 °C. The levulinate yields in ethanol and n-propanol were 20% lower. © 2018 American Chemical Society.