Asymmetric Transformations of Levulinic Acid to γ-Valerolactone and 5-Methylpyrrolidin-2-one Derivatives: Chiral Compounds with Biological Potential

Levulinic acid is a key platform molecule derived from biomass and readily available from natural sources, making it an attractive starting material for the synthesis of high-value chiral compounds. Among them, γ-valerolactone and 5-methylpyrrolidin-2-one derivatives are notable for their widespread occurrence and biological importance. This review paper highlights the importance of γ-valerolactone and 5-methylpyrrolidin-2-one derivatives as frameworks found in biologically active compounds and pharmaceuticals. It focuses on the asymmetric synthesis of these chiral building blocks from levulinic acid, highlighting recent advances in catalytic transformations that allow for efficient and selective transformations. The potential applications of these chiral molecules in medicine and industry underscore the importance of developing sustainable and scalable processes for their production. This review also examines future directions in the field, given the growing demand for green chemistry approaches and the increasing importance of chiral molecules in drug development.