Wirawan Ciptonugroho, Dika Febrianti Anggraini, Vito Bintang Saputra, Fauziyah Azhari, Ubed S. F. Arrozi, Yudha P. Budiman, Hwei Voon Lee, Witri Wahyu Lestari
Abstract: Transfer hydrogenation is an alternative route to reduce oxygenated molecules suitable for upgrading biogenic platform chemicals, such as ethyl levulinate (EL) to valuable γ-valerolactone (GVL). In this report, UiO-67(Hf) catalyst is synthesized by solvothermal method to initiate transfer hydrogenation of EL. X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and selected area X-ray diffraction (SAED) strongly confirm the amorphous nature of the framework. Infrared (IR) spectroscopy evidences the development of deprotonated COO− species suggesting coordinative bonding between [Hf6O4(OH)4]12⁺ oxo-cluster and benzene 1,4- dicarboxylate (BDC2−) as organic linkers. Thermal gravimetry analysis exhibits that the resulting material may retain its framework structure up to 500 °C. Isothermal N2 sorption discloses the mixture of micro- and meso-structures. UiO-67(Hf) is highly active to facilitate transfer hydrogenation of EL. Under optimized conditions, UiO-67(Hf) can convert > 99% EL alongside 96% GVL yield. Despite slightly reduced conversion and yield after the first cycle, catalytic performances of UiO-67(Hf) for the 2nd and 3rd cycles are comparable implying its stability over multiple reaction cycles. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V. 2026.
Chemistry Education Department, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Universitas Sebelas Maret, Jalan Ir. Sutami 36, Surakarta, 57126, Indonesia; Chemistry Department, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Sebelas Maret, Jalan Ir. Sutami 36, Surakarta, 57126, Indonesia; Chemistry Department, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, State University of Malang, Jl. Semarang 5, East Java, Malang, 65145, Indonesia; Chemistry Department, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science, Universitas Padjadjaran, Sumedang, 45363, Indonesia; Nanotechnology & Catalysis Research Centre (NANOCAT), Block A, Level 3, Institute Advanced Studies, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, 50603, Malaysia
