Direct Hydrocyclization of Biomass‐Derived Levulinic Acid to 2‐Methyltetrahydrofuran over Nanocomposite Copper/Silica Catalysts

Copper/silica nanocomposite catalysts prove efficient for the direct hydrocyclization of biomass-derived levulinic acid to cyclic 2-methyltetrahydrofuran in the vapor phase, at moderate hydrogen pressures. A nickel-promoted copper/silica catalyst with a high copper loading (72 wt %) is particularly effective for the direct hydrocyclization (89 % selectivity). The catalysts are stable during long-term experiments, showing little sign of leaching or sintering.