Mild ultrasound-assisted synthesis of TiO2 supported on magnetic nanocomposites for selective photo-oxidation of benzyl alcohol, Applied Catalysis B, Environmental http://dx.doi.org/10. 1016/j.apcatb.2015.10.034 This is a PDF file of an unedited manuscript that has been accepted for publication. As a service to our customers we are providing this early version of the manuscript. The manuscript will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and review of the resulting proof before it is published in its final form. Please note that during the production process errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain.

Zirconium based metal organic framework, , was successfully synthesized via solvothermal method, followed by various characterization including XRD, thermal analysis, N2 physisorption and TEM. As-synthesized UiO-66 (Zr) was employed in the transformation of methyl levulinate (ML) to gamma valerolactone (GVL) via catalytic transfer 2 hydrogenation (CTH) under continuous flow and various reaction conditions, which gave superior catalytic performance and efficiency as compared to reported catalysts. The obtained results show great potential of applying in upgrading biomass derivatives to useful biofuel/chemical products, paving the way for green energy production from renewable resources.

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The present work explores the catalytic activity of various zeolites for the production of methyl levulinates from hemicellulose derived furfuryl alcohol and explores the performance of H-ZSM-5-50 in continuous flow alcoholysis. Good results were obtained with MFI zeolite H-ZSM-5-50, with methyl levulinate yields up to 80 % at 170 °C (50 bars) using a high load (1.6 M) feed at 0.2 mL min-1 flow rate. Angelica lactones were produced in significant amounts as one of the side products, albeit in lower amounts in continuous flow mode. Catalyst deactivation occurred at high furfuryl alcohol load through formation of pore blocking polyfurfuryl alcohols. The zeolites showed good re-usability after regeneration at 500 °C. The levulinates yields in ethanol and n-propanol were 20 % lower.