Acid-Catalyzed Oxidation of Levulinate Derivatives to Succinates Under Mild Conditions

Selective oxidation of methyl levulinate was investigated under mild conditions. Strong Brønsted acids generated a 60% succinate selectivity in methanol. While the oxidant type, the carbon chain length and branching affect product distributions, solvents seem critical. The selectivity also varies with the metal element of triflates, the water-tolerant Lewis acids.