We illustrate a sustainable and mild reaction process that efficiently transforms biomass-derived furfural directly into GVL. Combining the homogeneous catalyst Ru-MACHO-BH with H₃PO₄(aq) allows to transform furfural to GVL in 84 % yield at 100 °C. This demonstrates the feasibility of transforming a major polysaccharide component in lignocellulose (hemicellulose) to GVL in a one-pot direct approach without intermediate purification and isolation.

Abstract

Herein, we report the direct conversion of biomass-derived furfural to γ-valerolactone (GVL) in a one-pot system, using the combination of Ru-MACHO-BH and a Brønsted acid (H₃PO₄). A GVL yield of 84 % is achieved under mild reaction conditions using 1 mol% of Ru-MACHO-BH and 3.8 M H₃PO₄(aq) at 100 °C for 7 hours.