Optimization of the One-Pot Synthesis of Butyl Levulinate from Fructose and 1-Butanol

The one-pot synthesis of butyl levulinate from fructose and 1- butanol has been optimized using the ion-exchange resin Dowex 50Wx2 as a catalyst in a batch reactor. The effects of temperature (120−150 °C), initial quantity of water (1-butanol/water molar ratio 1.2−48.5), and fructose (1- butanol/fructose molar ratio 33−77) have been evaluated in order to address the gaps found in the literature. The yield of butyl levulinate is adversely affected by the formation of humins, which is promoted by the presence of water, high temperature, and initial mass of fructose. However, an increase in both the temperature and the mass of fructose has an initial positive effect on the yield. The optimization study concludes that the optimal yield of butyl levulinate is around 140 °C and a 1-butanol/fructose molar ratio of 60. A maximum butyl levulinate yield value of 81.7% is obtained under these conditions after 2 h of run.