PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF DIPENTYL ETHER FROM LEVULINIC ACID RESULTING FROM BIOMASS

摘要

A process for the production of dipentyl ether from levulinic acid resulting from biomass including at least one polysaccharide comprising the following steps: (a) reacting said levulinic acid in the presence of hydrogen and at least one non-acid hydrogenation catalyst obtaining γ-valerolactone; (b) reacting said γ-valerolactone in the presence of hydrogen and at least one acid hydrogenation catalyst obtaining pentanoic acid; (c) reacting said pentanoic acid in the presence of hydrogen and at least a catalyst comprising platinum (Pt) and tin (Sn) obtaining pentyl alcohol; (d) reacting said pentyl alcohol in the presence of at least one solid acid catalyst thereby obtaining dipentyl ether. The dipentyl ether thus obtained can be advantageously used as an oxygenated component for fuels for diesel engines.