Highly efficient transformation of levulinic acid into pyrrolidinones by iridium catalysed transfer hydrogenation

Abstract

Levulinic acid (LA) is transformed into pyrrolidinones via iridium-catalysed reductive amination using formic acid as the hydrogen source under aqueous conditions. The catalytic system is the most active and performs under the mildest conditions ever reported for the reductive amination of LA.