Selective valorization of bio‐derived levulinic acid and its derivatives into hydrocarbons and biochemicals using hydrosilylation

Herein we report an efficient hydrosilylation strategy to selectively defunctionalize biomass-derived levulinic acid into value-added chemicals such as 1,4-pentanediol, 2-pentanol, 2-MTHF and C-5 hydrocarbons using cost-effective silanes and the commercially available catalyst B(C6F5)3 at room temperature. All reactions work well in chlorinated solvents but as a greener alternative most reactions can be run in toluene or solvent-less.