Biobased process intensification in selective synthesis of γ-butyrolactone from succinic acid via synergistic palladium–copper bimetallic catalyst supported on alumina xerogel

Biomass-based processes are gaining importance for sustainable chemical industry. The economic aspects of products from valorization of succinic acid are important. Selective synthesis of γ-butyrolactone is challenging, and catalyst development is a stumbling block. The synergistic effect of palladium–copper supported on alumina xerogel is demonstrated to obtain higher yield of γ-butyrolactone during successive dehydration and hydrogenation of succinic acid. The catalytic performance studies were carried out in slurry batch reactor, and 2.5% Pd–2.5% Cu on alumina xerogel was found to be active, selective and reusable catalyst. The catalyst was characterized by FTIR, XRD, TPD-NH 3 , BET nitrogen analysis, XPS and TEM at various stages of synthesis to understand the structure activity relationship. A kinetic model was developed for selective synthesis of γ-butyrolactone and validated. The activation energy for the reaction was found to be 11 kcal/mol. Graphical Abstract