Titania supported Ni catalyst modified by different lanthanides (La, Ce, Pr and Nd) were evaluated for the one-step conversion of levulinic acid (LA) to valeric acid (VA) using formic acid as a hydrogen source. Among these, the La modified Ni/TiO₂ demonstrated better VA yields with an optimum LA to VA mole ratio of 1:3. Pyridine and/or formic acid adsorbed IR studies revealed that presence of weak Lewis and strong basic sites present on the Ni-La/TiO₂ surface was the reason for higher VA selectivity. The physicochemical characteristics of the modified Ni-M/TiO₂ (M = La, Ce, Pr and Nd) catalysts deduced from H₂-TPR, N₂O titration, TPD of NH₃ and catalytic activity data emphasized a combination of metallic Ni with surface acid-base sites were responsible for the formation of VA in single step. Using aqueous γ-valerolactone, 99 % selectivity towards VA was achieved. A plausible reaction mechanism has been proposed based on the kinetic data obtained at moderate temperatures and ambient pressures.

用甲酸作为氢源，评估了由不同镧系元素（La，Ce，Pr和Nd）改性的二氧化钛负载的Ni催化剂的乙酰丙酸（LA）到戊酸（VA）的一步转化。其中，La改性的Ni / TiO ₂表现出更好的VA产率，最佳的LA与VA摩尔比为1：3。吡啶和/或甲酸吸附的IR研究表明，Ni-La / TiO ₂表面上存在弱路易斯和强碱性位点是导致VA选择性更高的原因。由H ₂ -TPR，N ₂ O滴定，NH _3的TPD推导得出的改性Ni-M / TiO ₂（M = La，Ce，Pr和Nd）催化剂的理化特性催化活性数据强调金属镍和表面酸碱位的组合是一步形成VA的原因。使用水性γ-戊内酯，对VA的选择性达到99％。基于在中等温度和环境压力下获得的动力学数据，已经提出了合理的反应机理。