Tailoring Acid and Surface Properties of WO₃–ZrO₂ Systems Derived from NH₂‐UiO‐66 in the Alcoholysis of Furfuryl Alcohol

Abstract Alkyl levulinates, are considered renewable chemicals, with potential as alternatives to fossil fuels. In this work, the production of alkyl levulinates from furfuryl alcohol (FA) was investigated using a series of WO 3 –ZrO 2 catalysts derived from NH 2 ‐UiO‐66 through a simple pyrolysis method. The catalysts were synthesized by varying WO 3 content deposited over ZrO 2 /C, material obtained from the direct pyrolysis of the solvothermal synthesized NH 2 ‐UiO‐66 MOF, via mechanochemistry. To obtain the target product in high yields, strategies were implemented centered on the increase of Bronsted acidity and acidity dispersion over the materials. Characterization analysis revealed that the calcination atmosphere and WO 3 loading significantly influenced the surface properties of the catalysts, particularly type of WO 3 deposition and surface acidity. Optimum catalyst, with 50% loading of WO 3 calcined in a nitrogen atmosphere (WC50), exhibited the highest acidity and yield of alkyl levulinates. The effect of different alcohol solvents on the alcoholysis of furfuryl alcohol was studied, with methanol and ethanol yielding the best results (>99%). Reaction conditions, including temperature (120–210 °C) and time (15–60 min), were optimized. Recyclability tests showed that catalyst could maintain their activity up to the fourth cycle without loss of performance.