Hydroxyapatite as a novel support for Ru in the hydrogenation of levulinic acid to γ-valerolactone

Abstract Metal catalysts (Ru, Pt, Pd, Ni) supported on hydroxyapatite (HAP) were examined for the hydrogenation of levulinic acid to γ-valerolactone. Among these Ru supported on HAP exhibited 99% yield of γ-valerolactone at 70 °C and 0.5 MPa H 2 pressure. The Ru/HAP catalyst was characterized by various adsorption and spectroscopic techniques. The Ru/HAP catalyst was quite stable up to four recycles.