Selective production of γ-valerolactone from biomass-derived levulinic acid over a Ni/CMK-3 catalyst

The conversion of levulinic acid (LA) into γ-valerolactone (GVL) is a critical reaction for upgrading biomass into high value-added chemicals. The catalyst's stability and activity are strongly correlated with its performance. Based on this, a series of Ni/CMK-3 catalysts with defective mesoporous carbon and nickel-anchored loading were synthesized. The analysis found that the Ni particles were securely implanted in the flawed areas of the C groups on the pores’ wall. This ensures that the active sites remain stable. The catalytic reaction yielded 79.82% GVL with 81.91% selectivity under optimal conditions, matching previously reported catalytic performances. The catalyst demonstrated a 97.30% conversion rate of LA and a yield of 79.49% GVL after five consecutive experiments. In conclusion, the catalyst Ni/CMK-3developed in this study exhibits strong stability, an excellent structure, and efficient catalytic performance. These properties make it an ideal choice for converting LA into GVL.