In Situ Generated Et3SiI as a Metal-Free Catalyst for the Room-Temperature Synthesis of gamma-Valerolactone from Levulinic Acid

gamma-Valerolactone (GVL), an industrially important compound and green-solvent was synthesized using a metal-free method by I-2/Et3SiH directly from levulinic acid at room temperature in good yield. Different types of keto-acids were also subjected to this methodology to synthesize the corresponding lactones. A 2-gram scale reaction was successfully carried out in good yield. Control experiments indicated that in situ generated Et3SiI is the active catalyst for this reaction.