A system and method for the conversion of a levulinate ester to maleic anhydride using a reducible oxide catalyst. Levulinic acid oxidation delivers maleic anhydride in good yields without viscosity and stability issues that make continuous production problematic. Due to the fact that levulinate esters are more amenable to processing, the conversion of levulinate esters to maleic anhydride represents an appropriate for the commercial production of maleic anhydride from renewable resources.