One-pot production of γ-valerolactone from furfural using Zr-graphitic carbon nitride/H-β composite

In order to efficiently produce γ-valerolactone (GVL) from furfural, a Zr-graphitic carbon nitride/H-β composite (ZrCN/H-β) had been simply prepared via an impregnation-calcination protocol. The morphology and structure, elemental information, and total acid and base properties of the ZrCN/H-β and related catalysts (H-β, CN/H-β, and Zr/H-β) were determined by SEM, TEM, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and temperature-programmed desorption (TPD-NH3, CO2) characterizations. The effects of reaction temperature and time, and the furfural dosage on GVL production as well as the recyclability of ZrCN/H-β were investigated. With a catalyst/furfural dosage of 0.1/0.22 g, the ZrCN/H-β produced a remarkable 76.5% of GVL yield at 160 °C in 18 h using isopropanol as the solvent. The results of NH3, CO2-TPD experiments indicated that the simultaneous introduction of Zr species and carbon nitride onto H-β formed new types of acid and base, which should be responsible for the high efficient conversion of furfural to GVL. Additionally, the recyclability of ZrCN/H-β was reasonable.