Study on Reaction of γ-Valerolactone and Amine Catalyzed by Zirconium-Based Lewis Acids

Abstract

γ-Valerolactone (GVL) is an important biomass platform molecule, it can be converted into high value-added chemicals and fuel, which has important application prospects. This article describes a method for the synthesis of hydroxyamides and pyrrolidones from GVL and amine compounds by reductive amination/cyclization reactions under mild conditions using zirconium-based Lewis acid catalysts Zr-P-O and ZrOCl2•8H2O, respectively. In particular, a moderately high product yield can be obtained with the absence of a solvent. This method further lays the foundation for the application research of GVL.