PROCESS FOR THE PREPARATION OF GAMMA VALEROLACTONE FROM LEVULINIC ACID

The invention relates to process for the preparation of gamma valerolactone (GVL) from levulinic acid (LA), said process comprising a) subjecting LA to a hydrogenation reaction comprising hydrogen and a solid catalyst system comprising a metal and a support in the liquid phase, to yield a first reaction mixture comprising GVL, hydroxypentanoic acid (4HPA), and water; b) removing water from said first reaction mixture; and c) subjecting the mixture obtained in step b) to a further reaction under conditions suitable to convert said 4-HPA to GVL, to yield a further reaction mixture. Steps b) and c) can be integrated. Optionally, water can be removed from the further reaction mixture. The process may include recycling the-optionally at least partially dewatered-further reaction mixture back to step (b). This is particularly advantageous when the first reaction mixture is low in, or even free of levulinic acid. Alternatively, the further reaction mixture or at least partially dewatered further reaction mixture can be submitted to a distillation step, whereby the distillate can be collected to recover GVL.