Electrochemical method for producing valeric acid

Abstract

The invention is directed to a method of electrochemically producing valeric acid. The method of the invention comprises - contacting a solution of levulinic acid with an anode and a cathode in an electrochemical cell; and - electrochemically reducing levulinic acid at the cathode to form valeric acid, wherein the cathode comprises one or more materials selected from the group consisting of cadmium, zinc, and indium