Hydrogenation of levulinic acid to γ-valerolactone using a homogeneous titanium catalyst at mild conditions

A titanocene-catalyzed Levulinic Acid hydrogenation was developed with excellent yield to produce γ-Valerolacctone. Mechanistic studies unveiled an alkoxide Ti (III) complex species performing the catalytic turnover. • Catalysis with an earth abundant metal. • Mild reaction conditions. • High yield and selectivity. • Key catalytic intermediates. A titanium-based catalytic system using the commercially available titanocene complex [Cp 2 TiCl 2 ], was developed for hydrogenation of levulinic acid to γ-valerolactone (GVL), using mild reaction conditions (100 °C and 100 psi) and excellent yields (>99 %). Key mechanistic insights, including the main species involved in the catalytic cycle, are also documented.