Gamma-Valerolactone (gVL)

gamma-Valerolactone (GVL) is an organic compound with the formula C5H8O2. This colourless liquid is one of the more common lactones. GVL is chiral but is usually used as the racemate. It is readily obtained from cellulosic biomass and is a potential fuel and green solvent. GVL is produced from levulinic acid, which is obtained from hexoses. In a typical process, cellulosic biomasses, such as corn stover, sawgrass, or wood, is hydrolysed into glucose and other sugars using acid catalysts. The resulting glucose can then be dehydrated via hydroxymethylfurfural to yield formic acid and levulinic acid, which can then be hydrogenated to gamma-hydroxypentanoic acid, which readily cyclises to gamma-valerolactone, which has potential applications as a liquid fuel. GVL has been identified as a potential green solvent. Because of its herbal odor, it is used in the perfume and flavor industries.