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123-76-2
futurechemical
123-76-2
Levulinic acid is a bio-based platform chemical — one of the twelve key building blocks identified by the U.S. Department of Energy for a sustainable chemical industry. This white, low-melting solid (melting point 33 – 35 °C) carries both a ketone and a carboxylic acid function in one small C5 molecule, and can be produced from renewable biomass such as cellulose, glucose and agricultural residues by acid hydrolysis.
Because it combines two reactive functional groups in a compact structure, levulinic acid is the starting point of an unusually wide derivative tree:levulinate esters as green solvents and fuel additives, methyltetrahydrofuran as a gasoline-blend component, diphenolic acid for resins, and levulinate salts for agriculture and food. One renewable molecule, a full portfolio of green chemistry products.
Core value propositions:
Bio-Based Platform Chemical:
● a U.S. DOE top-12 renewable platform molecule produced from biomass, feeding a wide derivative tree;
Green Solvents & Fuels:
● a feedstock for levulinate ester solvents and methyltetrahydrofuran fuel additives;
Item | Specification |
Chemical Name | Levulinic acid (4-Oxopentanoic acid) |
Synonyms | 4-Oxovaleric acid; γ-Ketovaleric acid; 3-Acetylpropionic acid; LA |
CAS No. | 123-76-2 |
EC No. (EINECS) | 204-649-2 |
Molecular Formula | C₅H₈O₃ (CH₃COCH₂CH₂COOH) |
Molecular Weight | 116.11 g/mol |
Appearance | White to pale-yellow crystalline solid (melts ≈ 33 – 35 °C) |
Boiling Point | ≈ 245 °C (decomposes) |
Density | ≈ 1.14 g/cm³ (liquid) |
Solubility | Freely soluble in water, alcohols and ethers |
Levulinic acid is a γ-keto acid: a five-carbon chain ending in a carboxylic acid group, with a ketone on carbon 4 (CH₃COCH₂CH₂COOH). The two functional groups react independently — the carboxyl undergoes esterification, amidation and salt formation; the ketone undergoes reduction, hydrogenation and condensation. This dual reactivity, plus a natural biosynthetic availability, is what makes it a platform rather than just an intermediate.
Key derivatives include: δ-aminolevulinic acid (ALA, via bromination/amination) for and agriculture; levulinate esters (ethyl, butyl, pentyl) as green solvents and oxygenated fuel components; methyltetrahydrofuran (MTHF) as a gasoline-blend biofuel; diphenolic acid (DPA) as a bisphenol-A replacement in resins; and levulinic salts used in food, pharma and agrochemistry.
● Renewable platform status: a U.S. DOE top-12 bio-based building block, produced from cellulose, glucose and biomass residues.
● Dual functional groups: ketone plus carboxylic acid in a compact C5 molecule — a natural hub for derivatization.
● Broad derivative tree: feeds ALA, esters, MTHF, diphenolic acid and salts across, fuels, solvents and resins.
● Green chemistry credentials: bio-sourced, biodegradable and a drop-in alternative to fossil-derived intermediates.
● Easy handling at scale: low-melting solid that liquefies near 33 °C, freely soluble in water and organics.
● Multi-industry reach: one molecule serving, agrochemistry, fuels, solvents, food and materials.
Levulinic acid is the renewable hub of a growing green-chemistry portfolio:
● Biomass conversion: produced by acid hydrolysis of cellulose, glucose, starch and agricultural residues;
● Derivative synthesis: the common feedstock for esters, ethers, amines, diacids and lactones;
● Sustainability driver: replaces fossil-derived intermediates in solvents, fuels, resins and specialty chemicals.
● Levulinate esters: green solvents (ethyl, butyl, pentyl levulinate) for coatings, cleaning and extraction;
● Methyltetrahydrofuran (MTHF): biofuel and fuel additive miscible with gasoline at any ratio;
● Fuel oxygenates: levulinate esters as oxygenated diesel and gasoline blend components.
● Agrochemicals: herbicide, plant-growth-regulator and pesticide intermediates (including ALA-based biostimulants);
● Diphenolic acid (DPA): bisphenol-A replacement for water-soluble resins and papermaking applications;
● Flavoring: levulinic acid and salts as butter/cheese flavor components (food-grade applications);
● Tobacco, cosmetics and plasticizers: humectant, pH-adjusting and specialty uses.
Packaging (customizable):
● 25 kg HDPE jerry can or fiber drum (drum heaters or warm-room storage for solidification);
● 200 kg HDPE drum or galvanized iron drum, 1,000 L IBC, or ISO tank for bulk;
Storage:
● Keep in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight and heat;
● Store above 35 °C or warm before use to keep the product liquid (melting point 33 – 35 °C);
● Keep containers closed to prevent moisture pick-up; store away from strong oxidizers and bases;
● Recommended storage temperature 5 °C – 35 °C (liquid), with warm storage above 35 °C for bulk handling.
● Factory-direct supply: own production capacity, transparent pricing, no middleman markup;
● Stable quality: strict internal control, every batch tested, COA with every shipment;small trial orders accepted.
● Export experience: familiar with sea/air shipping documentation for chemical commodities, complete paperwork support;
Levulinic acid is a bio-based platform chemical. It is a feedstock for green levulinate ester solvents and methyltetrahydrofuran fuel additives, an intermediate for agrochemicals and diphenolic-acid resins, and a butter/cheese flavoring component.
A platform chemical is a single renewable molecule from which many downstream products are made. Levulinic acid qualifies because it carries two independent functional groups — a ketone and a carboxylic acid — in a compact bio-sourced C5 skeleton, so it can be converted into esters, ethers, amines, diacids, lactones and salts. The U.S. DOE lists it among the twelve most important building blocks for a sustainable chemical industry.
Levulinic acid melts at 33 – 35 °C, so it is a solid in cool warehouses and a liquid at room temperature in warm climates. Keep drums in warm storage or use drum heaters, and warm the product before pumping or dosing. It is freely soluble in water, so rinse spills with water; it decomposes near 245 °C, so avoid overheating.
Levulinic acid has low acute toxicity — its salts are even used in food and cosmetic applications — but the acid is irritating to skin, eyes and airways in concentrated form. Use gloves, goggles and adequate ventilation, and avoid skin contact.
