Solventless, ambient-pressure production of bio-based lactones over earth-abundant, mixed metal oxide catalysts for circular polyesters

Transitioning to a circular plastics economy will require use of renewable feedstocks, energy-efficient processes, and closed-loop recyclable polymers, such as polyesters. A key challenge lies in sustainably sourcing monomers used to make recyclable polyesters. This work presents a catalytic platform utilizing earth-abundant Cu_(x)Ca_(1-x)O mixed metal oxides for the oxidative dehydrocyclization of bio-based diols to lactones, which are advantaged for energy-efficient ring-opening polymerization. Operating below 200 °C, at ambient pressure, and without solvent, the process uses air as the sole oxidant, achieving high yields of lactones across a broad substrate scope of C_4-8 diols in the liquid phase. The oxidative dehydrocyclization reaction is thermodynamically downhill due to water formation and energy-efficient compared to incumbent, non-redox pathways utilized in fossil carbon-based industrial processes for lactone production. Mechanistic studies reveal facile redox cycling of Cu²⁺-O(Ca²⁺)-Cu²⁺ interfacial sites unique to the developed catalyst. Techno-economic analysis and life cycle assessment estimate 40% lower energy demand and 15% lower GHG intensity per mass of butyrolactone produced compared to the fossil carbon-based route. Liquid-phase oxidative dehydrocyclization offers a promising approach for scalable lactone production from renewable, bio-based diols to enable circular polyesters.