Efficient hydrogenation of levulinic acid catalysed by spherical NHC-Ir assemblies with atmospheric pressure of hydrogen

Abstract

A practical, efficient, and mild hydrogenation of levulinic acid (LA) to γ-valerolactone (GVL) under 1 atm H₂ was realized by single-sited 3D porous self-supported N-heterocyclic carbene iridium catalysts. Quantitative yields and selectivities were achieved at 0.02 mol% catalyst loading, and the catalyst could be reused for 9 runs without obvious loss of selectivity or activity.