LAUSR

Abstract In this work, the direct production of levulinates from cheap residual lignocellulosic biomass was performed using an affordable homogeneous catalyst. A central composite design (CCD) using the response surface methodology (RSM) was applied to analyze the effects of the four selected factors (acid concentration, temperature, α-cellulose content, and reaction time) on the production of levulinates (levulinic acid derivatives). This optimization led to a total production of levulinates of 78 wt%, 72.5 wt%, 83 wt%, and 73 wt% using α-cellulose, poplar, sorghum, and softwood bark, respectively.