01820nas a2200181   4500008004100000022001400041245014200055210006900197260007100266300001600337490000700353520106200360100002101422700002001443700002301463700002601486856012601512       2014                        eng d  a0888-588500aEfficient conversion of cellulose to levulinic acid by hydrothermal treatment using zirconium dioxide as a recyclable solid acid catalyst0 aEfficient conversion of cellulose to levulinic acid by hydrother  a1155 16TH ST, NW, WASHINGTON, DC 20036 USAbAMER CHEMICAL SOCcDEC  a18796-188050 v533 a<p>Conversion of cellulose into platform chemicals is essential for sustainable development of the chemical industry. With this aim, single step hydrothermal conversion of cellulose to industrially important levulinic acid using zirconium dioxide as a catalyst has been investigated. A remarkably high yield (53.9 mol %) of levulinic acid with excellent accountability and total conversion of cellulose has been achieved at 180 degrees C reaction temperature and reaction time of 3 h with 2 wt % of catalyst and 2 g of cellulose. The major products identified were levulinic acid (LA), formic acid (FA), 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF), furfural, and humins. Formation of humins during cellulose hydrolysis and dehydration was observed and is also confirmed by NMR and FTIR analysis. The effect of various reaction parameters such as temperature, time, substrate concentration, and catalyst loading on conversion and selectivity has been studied. The catalyst has been regenerated and recycled several times without any loss of activity and selectivity.</p>1 aJoshi, Sunil, S.1 aZodge, Amit, D.1 aPandare, Kiran, V.1 aKulkarni, Bhaskar, D.  uhttps://library.ncl.res.in/content/efficient-conversion-cellulose-levulinic-acid-hydrothermal-treatment-using-zirconium-0