LAUSR

We report the design and synthesis of cesium‐doped hydroxyapatite for direct and high‐yield conversion of biobased lactic acid to 2,3‐pentanedione (72.3 %). Cs species derived from CsNO3 at high temperature of calcination is introduced into the hydroxyapatite structure to regulate its acid–base properties. It is found that a balance of acid–base chemistry favors the condensation of lactic acid to 2,3‐pentanedione. As a result, the undesired reactions such as lactic acid dehydration, decarbonylation, and coking are suppressed. Instead, a concerted catalysis between surface basic site and acidic site for lactic acid condensation to 2,3‐pentanedione dominates on the cesium‐doped hydroxyapatite catalyst, leading to a highly selective process for direct conversion of bio‐lactic acid to 2,3‐pentanedione.