560
alcoholysis and requires relatively severe process conditions and hence lower selectivity/yields in comparison with those from LA or FOL.
Etherification of FOL with ethanol yields (Scheme 12) ethyl furfuryl ether (EFE),
an efficient fuel additive. Synthesis of EFE using ZSM-5 and zeolite beta catalysts
and its blending characteristics with gasoline up to 30% w/w have been reported by
Haan and Lange [366, 367].
Especially with ZSM-5 (SAR-30) catalyst, and ethanol/FOL molar ratio of 7.5:1,
EFE yield of 50% could be achieved with 80% conversion of FOL at 398  K by
Lange et al. [368]. Though some amount of (<10 mol.%) useful side products like
LA and angelica lactone could be observed, formation of ~20  mol.% of heavier
products points out the need for further improvements in the process, in terms of
Fig. 32 Chemical transformations of levulinic acid to value-added chemicals and fuels
(Reproduced from Xue et al. [363])
O
CH 2 OH
OH
O
O
EFE
FOL
Scheme 12 Etherification
of furfuryl alcohol to ethyl
furfuryl ether
R. Vinayagamoorthi et al.