Acid–base bifunctional Al–Zr mixed oxides were prepared by co-precipitation.
The addition of Al to ZrO2 enhanced the surface area and acid–base site content.
Al–Zr mixed oxides were efficient for hydrogenation of EL to GVL using alcohols.
95.5% conversion of EL and 83.2% yield of GVL were obtained at 220 °C for 4 h.