WP1.1 Synthesis of mixed oxide catalysts
UniNa will prepare different mixed oxides through a hydrolytic sol-gel route. Both synthetic conditions and precursors will be properly selected to combine safety aspects and environmental protection.The textural properties and the acidic nature of synthesizes samples will be investigated in collaboration with UniBo/SCITEC-CNR. The key role of all components will be assessed to better understand and define the structure-properties-function relationships, ultimately boosting the acidic properties of produced systems and their overall catalytic activity.
UniBo will prepare different catalytic materials based on (mixed) oxides characterized by high specific surface area (SSA>100 m2/g) and crystallinity, with tunable acid-base properties. To achieve this goal, optimizedprecipitation and/or co-precipitation procedures will be used or developed, optimizing the main reaction parameters. Moreover, for the same goal, hydrothermal synthesis using urea as in-situ pH modifier will beinvestigated. Both these procedures will be adopted for the preparation of (mixed) oxides. All these ad-hoc synthesized catalysts will be used, eventually, after specific functionalization by SCITEC-CNR (to improve theirproperties and performances), in the synthesis of ketals, DPA, GVL-RP by all RUs.

WP1.2 Production of biomass-derived catalysts
UniPi will prepare sugar- and lignocellulosic-based hydrochars starting from different feedstocks. The adopted reaction conditions will be selected for the co-production of hydrochar and levulinic acid, in theperspective ofsustainable environmental and economic criteria. Functionalization of the obtained hydrochars will be carried out in collaboration with SCITEC-CNR and then the functionalized systems will be employed in the ketals andDPA production by UniNa and the same UniPi. Furthermore, composites of hydrochar and (mixed) oxides will be prepared with the help of UniBo, tuning their specific properties to find high-performance systems for the synthesis of GVL-RP. Characterization of the pristine, fuctionalized and spent catalysts will be made through the teamwork between UniPi, UniBo and SCITEC-CNR, in order to correlate, tune and optimize catalyst acidityand morphology properties with the catalytic performances, to clarify possible passivation mechanisms and identify reactivation strategies.

WP1.3 Catalysts functionalization
SCITEC-CNR will modify the materials prepared by UniNa, UniBo and UniPi through impregnation, CH and sulfonation. The goal of this functionalization step is the modification of the surface structure of the parentmaterials to introduce new acid-base functionalities, suitable for the specific application. In fact, the ad-hoc functionalized catalysts will be used by UniNa, UniPi, UniBo and the same SCITEC-CNR for the catalytic tests and in synergy with all RUs they will be, step-by-step, screened, optimized and tailored to the specific reaction.