Synergy of photo-thermal catalysis in hydrogen transfer enables levulinic acid to γ-valerolactone

Efficient synthesis of γ-valerolactone (GVL) has attracted wide attention due to its extensive applications as a promising fuel additive. Herein, we report a new path to obtain GVL by intermolecular hydrogen transfer from isopropanol to levulinic acid (LA) upon the Co-MoOx/polyoxometallic hybrid catalysts even without exogenous H2 atmosphere. This conversion could proceed efficiently not only based on thermal catalysis, but also on photocatalysis due to its photo-thermal property. Moreover, the control experiments reveal that phosphotungustic acid (HPW) worked as acid sites for esterification and dealcoholization reaction. The doped Co species as Lewis acidic sites catalyze the formation of GVL from LA as well as affect the hydrogenation activity of MoOx. This work provides a photo-thermal catalyst for upgrading biomass-derived compounds under mild condition.