Synthesis of mono and diesters using eco-friendly solid acid catalyst – zirconium titanium phosphate

Abstract

Amorphous zirconium titanium phosphate (ZTPA), an advanced inorganic ion exchanger of the class of tetravalent bimetallic acid (TBMA) salt, has been synthesized by sol gel route. ZTPA has been characterized by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometer (ICP-AES), Thermal analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The acid sites present in ZTPA indicate good potential to be explored as solid acid catalyst. The catalytic characteristics of ZTPA have been evaluated by determining surface area and surface acidity. The catalytic performance of ZTPA as a solid acid catalyst has been explored by studying esterification as a model reaction wherein mono and diesters have been synthesized. Crystalline zirconium titanium phosphate as well as amorphous and crystalline phases of zirconium phosphate and titanium phosphate have also been synthesized, characterized, and their catalytic performance investigated for comparative studies. TBMA salt exhibits enhanced catalytic activity compared to its single salt counterparts and amorphous phases exhibit higher catalytic activity compared to their crystalline phases.