Catalytic conversion of glucose to methyl levulinate over metal-modified Beta zeolites

Methyl levulinate was selectively formed from glucose and methanol over a copper modified Beta zeolite bifunctional catalyst at 180 °C under argon atmosphere. The selectivity to methyl levulinate substantially exceeded previously reported in the open literature results. The copper modification was done through an ion-exchange method using a solution of copper nitrate, followed by drying and calcination of the catalyst. Copper modification changed the distribution of acid sites namely, less Brønsted and more Lewis sites were observed with FTIR using pyridine adsorption. Application of the proton form H-Beta-25 gave the methyl levulinate yield of ca. 89%, which could be elevated with the addition of copper, as the apparent selectivity exceeds 99%, assuming that methyl glucosides are eventually transformed to methyl levulinate. The non-acidic Cu/SiO₂ catalyst was completely inactive in methyl levulinate formation. Metal modification of Beta zeolite with Sn and Zn did not perform as well as Cu in the formation of methyl levulinate during glucose transformation.