Patent ID: 8399688

Claim:
A method to make levulinic acid (LA), furfural, furfuryl alcohol, or gamma-valerolactone (GVL), the method comprising: (a) reacting in a first reactor a reactant comprising C 5 carbohydrates, C 6 carbohydrates, cellulose, or hemicellulose, or combinations thereof in: (i) a monophasic reaction medium comprising GVL and an acid; or (ii) a biphasic reaction system comprising an organic layer comprising GVL, and a substantially immiscible aqueous layer comprising water, an acid, and a sufficient concentration of a water-soluble solute to yield an aqueous solution that is substantially immiscible with the organic layer; (b) wherein at least a portion of C 5 carbohydrates, if present in the reactant, is converted into furfural, and at least a portion of C 6 carbohydrates, if present in the reactant, is converted to LA.