Gamma-valerolactone (GVL) as a biofuel: Investigation of GVL thermal decomposition and GVL + OH reaction

Recent works have highlighted the potential of lignocellulosic-derived γ-valerolactone (GVL) as a promising biofuel or a fuel additive. Its detailed chemistry is, however, not yet well-understood. In this work, we present the first high-temperature measurements of GVL + OH reaction behind reflected shock waves over 990–1294 K and pressures ∼ 1.2 bar. Around 990 K, our rate coefficients are ∼3 times faster than the average room-temperature determination. Our measured OH + GVL rate coefficients may be given as (unit: cm3molecule−1s−1): [Formula presented] We also conducted the first direct measurements of GVL thermal decomposition over 1214–1427 K and pressures ∼ 1.4 bar. GVL decomposition rate coefficients exhibit a similar slope to its acyclic counterpart, ethyl propionate, but GVL decomposes ∼80–120 times slower than ethyl propionate. Our determined GVL thermal decomposition rate coefficients may be expressed as (unit of s−1): [Formula presented] Our experimental work represents the first quantitative measurements of the reactions of the lactone family. Both reactions of the lactone family studied here proceeded slower than the normal-chain counterparts which affirms that ring constraints must be considered in rate coefficient analogies between normal-chain and cyclic molecules.