Formation of Humin and Alkyl Levulinate in the Acid-catalyzed Conversion of Biomass-derived Furfuryl Alcohol

Abstract

To avoid undesired polymn. and maximize the selectivity of alkyl levulinate from the acid-catalyzed conversion of biomass-derived furfuryl alc., the effects of catalyst and reaction parameters on the formations of humin and alkyl levulinate were investigated. The results show that Amberlyst 15, of moderate acidic strength, was more favorable for the selective conversion of furfuryl alc. to alkyl levulinate, and heteropolyacids of strong acidic strength tended to promote furfuryl alc. polymn. Compared with water as a reaction medium, alc. significantly lowered humin formation and enhanced the yield of the resulting products. The formations of humin and alkyl levulinate were both favored at high catalyst loadings and reaction temps. An augmentation in initial furfuryl alc. concn. caused an increase in humin formation and a decrease in alkyl levulinate yield. A high alkyl levulinate yield of up to 94% (100% furfuryl alc. conversion) was achieved at 110 °C for 4 h with 5 g/L Amberlyst 15 catalyst and an initial furfuryl alc. concn. of 0.1 mol/L. At this point, about 5% furfuryl alc. was polymd. to form the humin, and its polymn. occurred mainly during the initial reaction stage. [on SciFinder(R)]