Reactive Extraction of Levulinate Esters and Conversion to γ-Valerolactone for Production of Liquid Fuels

Reactive extraction of cellulose‐derived levulinic and formic acids with butene is utilized to obtain levulinate and formate esters, thereby allowing for recovery and recycle of H2SO4. The esters are converted over a dual‐catalyst‐bed system to GVL and 2‐butanol, followed by production of butene to be recycled for reactive extraction and to be converted to liquid fuels by oligomerization.