Procedure for the conversion of gamma-ketoacids to gammalactones via photothermal catalysis

Reducing the overreliance on fossil fuels and curbing the steady rise of CO2 emissions has grown into a pressing global priority to address the climate crisis. In this pursuit, biomass valorization emerges as an engaging approach for transitioning away from 15 fossil fuels towards a more sustainable economy. Biomass originates as a residue from activities as diverse as agriculture, livestock-related industries, and the management of forested areas, which regards it as the only renewable raw material that can be readily converted into organic molecules. Lignocellulosic wastes indeed hold significant interest in their derivatization to biofuels and related value-added 20 compounds. Recognizing this perspective, forest management must transcend ecological considerations alone and adopt a holistic approach. Forests can serve not solely as ecosystems but also as clean and sustainable factories. Consequently, the development of novel strategies that pave the way towards a biomass-based system, in which bioeconomy and circularity represent the main principles, stands as a prime 25 objective.The invention relates to a sustainable procedure to obtain γ-lactones, more 5 particularly, γ-valerolactone, which, apart from being a platform to other high-value chemicals, it has applicability itself as a biofuel, green solvent or even in perfumery. γ-lactones are synthesized through a hydrogenation reaction from γ-ketoacids via photothermal catalysis