# Furfural Valorization to γ‑Valerolactone over Zr/Sn Zeolite-Supported Catalysts in a Liquid-Phase Continuous Flow Reactor

## TL;DR

This study explores using a Zr/Sn catalyst in a continuous reactor to efficiently convert furfural into γ-valerolactone, a valuable chemical, with high yield and reusability.

## Contribution

The first demonstration of a bimetallic Zr/Sn catalyst in a single continuous flow reactor for furfural conversion to γ-valerolactone.

## Key findings

- A 1:1 Sn:Zr catalyst achieved ~45% GVL yield at 180°C with 2-propanol as a hydrogen source.
- The catalyst showed good stability and could be reused with minimal loss in performance.
- An efficient regeneration protocol was developed to maintain catalytic activity over multiple cycles.

## Abstract

This work presents for the first time the combined effect
of Sn
and Zr in the conversion of furfural (FU) to γ-valerolactone
(GVL) by using a single liquid-phase continuous flow reactor. To address
the high costs and environmental impact of this cascade reaction,
catalytic transfer hydrogenation is a promising approach, utilizing
alcohols as hydrogen donors in place of molecular H2. This
process, which requires both Lewis and Bro̷nsted acidity, when
coupled with heterogeneous catalysts, offers a potentially more cost-effective
and environmentally friendly alternative. The production of GVL in
one pot has been studied using Sn- and Zr-based catalysts supported
on dealuminated zeolite Y. The bimetallic catalyst with a Sn:Zr at.
ratio of 1:1 achieved the best performance, reaching a yield to GVL
of ca. 45% at 180 °C using 2-propanol as a hydrogen source, with
a 10 min contact time. Moreover, stability studies, including long-term
catalytic tests under reaction conditions, were carried out to evaluate
the durability and the deactivation. In addition, an efficient regeneration
protocol was developed and optimized, enabling catalyst reuse across
multiple cycles with performance in terms of conversion and selectivities
comparable to those observed with the fresh materials.