Abstract Al 2 (SO 4) 3 was developed as a simple and efficient catalyst for the synthesis of methyl levulinate (MLE) from carbohydrate biomass including fructose, glucose, mannose, sucrose, cellobiose, starch, and cellulose. The maximum MLE yield of 64% from glucose could be obtained at 160 C for 150 min. Important roles of Al 3+ and Brønsted acid sites generated by the hydrolysis/methanolysis of Al 3+ were elucidated. The reaction process ...