BACKGROUND gamma-Valerolactone (GVL) is a versatile biomass-derived platform molecule that could serve as a building block to produce chemicals, materials and fuels, but the production of GVL from biomass via a cost-competitive method is challenging. In this contribution, a robust CuMg oxide was prepared as an efficient bifunctional catalyst for both H-2 production by MeOH reforming and hydrogenation of methyl levulinate (ML) to GVL in MeOH medium. RESULTS Cu0.87Mg0.13Ox prepared by a urea hydrolysis method offered a GVL yield up to 90.6% at 220 degrees C in 4 h without external hydrogen. This catalyst could be reused for at least seven consecutive cycles without loss of its activity. Notably, Cu0.87Mg0.13Ox also provided nearly 70% GVL yield in methanolysis products of cellulose in the presence of humins. Characterization of the catalyst indicates that the incorporation of MgO greatly facilitates the stabilization of Cu+ species that possess a better catalytic performance in ML hydrogenation compared with metallic Cu. CONCLUSION This robust Cu0.87Mg0.13Ox could greatly contribute to develop a highly facile and desirable two-step strategy for GVL production from cellulose, through the integration of ML production by methanolysis of cellulose, H-2 formation by MeOH reforming and ML hydrogenation in MeOH medium. (c) 2018 Society of Chemical Industry