Production of gamma-butyrolactone by liquid phase oxidation of 1,4-butanediol

An alternative manufacturing process-scheme was developed to synthesize gam ma-butyrolactone with very high selectivity. Ruthenium trichloride was used as a redox catalyst and sodium hypochlorite as the oxidizing agent. Differ ent process parameters such as temperature, effect of pH, mode of reaction and catalyst loading were studied to develop the most suitable process cond itions. Under best suitable conditions, at 83% conversion level of 1,4-buta nediol, 97% selectivity to the desired lactone was achieved in 5 h.