Synthesis of Levulinate Esters Using MgAl-Mixed Oxides Containing Transition Metals as Catalysts

This study presents the production of isoamyl, n-butyl and cyclohexyl esters of levulinic acid with an excellent yield under solvent-free conditions. The catalysts used were MgAlO and M²⁺MgAlO-mixed oxides containing the transition metals (M²⁺ = Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Zn²⁺), obtained from calcined layered double hydroxides (LDH). They are easily accessible, low-cost, and environmentally friendly and possess the requisite acid–base properties for esterification reactions. The effect of reaction time and the molar ratio of levulinic acid to the alcohols used on the esterification reaction was investigated. The catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), XRF, SEM and temperature-programmed desorption of CO₂ (TPD-CO₂). Gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy (GC/MS) was used for the identification and quantification of the product mixtures. Mixed oxides containing transition metals exhibited significantly higher activity than MgAlO. Under the selected reaction conditions, the conversion of levulinic acid and the yield of isoamyl ester reached 100% at a reagent ratio of 1:1. As a by-product of esterification, only dicyclohexyl ether was found at a reactant ratio of 1:1.5.