Direct conversion of xylose to butyl levulinate over mesoporous zirconium silicates with an integrated dehydration alcoholysis process

Abstract Organic intermediates, like n-butyl levulinate, have a widespread application, especially in organic synthesis. Thus, direct synthesis of n-butyl levulinate from xylose was investigated over the mesoporous zirconium silicate catalysts (KITZx (X = 20,10)). The catalysts were identified through various methods like FESEM, EDS, XRD, FT-IR, nitrogen adsorption-desorption, ICP-AES, and NH3-TPD). An integrated catalytic protocol includes dehydration, and alcoholysis led to the selective formation of n-butyl levulinate and gave a yield of 87.7% over KITZ20 under optimal conditions. Various reaction parameters, for example, the effect of temperature, reaction time, the influence of the catalyst, and the amount of xylose were investigated. The spent catalyst can be effectively recovered after the thermal regeneration of KITZ20 and has good reusability.