N-trimethylammonium Bromide Research Articles

Evaluation of the promotion of self-assembly hydrophobic domain on methane hydrate formation

In view of the low solubility of the hydrophobic guest gas in solutions during gas hydrate formations, the self-assembled domains with the hydrophobic core and hydrophilic shell were designed in this research for the purpose of enhancing the methane hydrate formation. Initially, the cationic surfactants n-trimethylammonium bromide (CnTAB, n = 10, 12, 14, 16) with different alky chains and anionic polymer sodium polystyrenesulfonate were linked together by electrostatic interaction to form the nano-aggregates (marked as CnTAB/PSS). In forms of irregular core-shell structures, the nanoaggregate had the particle size of 161–228 nm. Employed as the reaction system for methane hydrates formation, the self-assembled aggregates held higher ability to solubilize methane compared with deionized water. During the hydrate formations, the nanoaggregates-contained systems exerted prominent promotion effects on the hydrate formation. Based on the same neutralized degree of 50 %, the C14TAB/PSS nanoaggregates turned out to facilitate hydrate formations with the maximum formation rate of (1.33 ± 0.86) × 10−3 mmol/(mL.min). Meanwhile, the hydrate formation process was accelerated gradually along with higher DN value, where the final gas storage capacity was improved to 138 ± 16 v/v for C14TAB/PSS with DN value of 75 %. Thereby, the designed self-assembled microdomain was conducive to enhancing methane hydrate formation kinetics, and this may provide significant fundamental guidance on the industrial application of hydrate‐based SNG (solid natural gas) technology.

Kinetically regulated one-pot synthesis of cationic gold nanoparticles and their size-dependent antibacterial mechanism

Cationic gold nanoparticles (cAuNPs) have been regarded as promising candidates for antibacterial applications due to their high surface charge density, favorable biocompatibility, and controllable surface chemistry. Nevertheless, the complicated fabrication process and unclear antibacterial mechanism have greatly hindered the further biomedical application of cAuNPs. Herein, we have developed a simple and controllable strategy for synthesizing cAuNPs with tailored size and antibacterial behavior by kinetically modulating the reaction process. Specifically, a functional ligand, (11-mercaptoundecyl)-N, N, N-trimethylammonium bromide (MUTAB), was chosen to chemically manipulate the positive surface charge of cAuNPs via a one-step strategy. The size of cAuNPs could be flexibly adjusted from 1.1 to 14.8 nm by simply elevating the stirring speed of the reaction from 0 to 1500 rpm. Further studies revealed that the antibacterial effect of cAuNPs was strongly correlated with the particle size. MUTAB-protected ultrasmall gold nanoclusters (MUTAB-AuNCs) were able to eradicate E. coli at a concentration as low as 1.25 μg mL–1, while the minimum inhibitory concentration of MUTAB-AuNPs with a large size for E. coli was 5 μg mL–1. Mechanistic investigation revealed that MUTAB-AuNPs were able to damage the bacterial membrane and stimulate the production of reactive oxygen species more effectively than MUTAB-AuNCs. Conversely, MUTAB-AuNCs were more active in inducing membrane depolarization in contrast to MUTAB-AuNPs, suggesting the unique size-dependent antibacterial manner of cAuNPs. This study presents a new strategy for the controlled preparation of cAuNPs with distinct sizes and antibacterial behavior, laying a valuable foundation for developing efficient cationic NP-based bactericidal agents.

N-Cetyl-N,N,N-tri methyl ammonium bromide based Tin(IV) Phosphate, A New Surfactant based Hybrid Ion Exchanger: Synthesis, Ion exchange and Physico-chemical Characterization

N-Cetyl-N,N,N-tri methyl ammonium bromide based Tin (IV) Phosphate has been reported as a new class of hybrid ion exchanger. It has been characterized by some physico-chemical studies such as FTIR analysis, SEM study and elemental analysis. Its method of synthesis along with ion exchange characterization has also been reported in this study including ion exchange capacity, concentration study, elution study, recycling study and thermal stability. The antimicrobial activity of N-Cetyl-N, N, N-tri methyl ammonium bromide based Tin (IV) Phosphate on some microorganisms such as Staph Awrens, E. coli ESS 2231, Protect vulgaris and Aspergillus fumigatus has also been studied to prove the antimicrobial nature of the reported material. Based on the above study it has been concluded that the present material can be of great importance in environmental pollution control.

Differential effect of surfactants tetra-n-butyl ammonium bromide and N-Cetyl-N, N, N-trimethyl ammonium bromide bound to nano-cellulose on binding and sustained release of some non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Nano crystalline cellulose (NCC) modified with cationic surfactant CTAB (N-Cetyl-N, N, N-trimethyl ammonium bromide) proved as effective drug delivery excipient for sustained release of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). In the present work, our purpose was to study the effect of another cationic surfactant TBAB (tetra-n-butyl ammonium bromide) used to modify NCC on binding and sustained release of hydrophobic NSAIDs. NCC modified TBAB was characterized by FTIR & TGA analysis. TBAB-NSAID interactions have been assessed using CHEM3D. The sustained release character was monitored by time dependent serum protein protecting and time dependent anti-cathepsins activities. The NCC-TBAB exhibited the binding efficiency for NSAIDs in the range of 42–25% depending upon the hydrophobicity of NSAID and released the drug up to 60 min. The research problem added to the existing knowledge of suitable surfactants required to change the hydrophilic nature of NCC to act as carrier for hydrophobic drugs. TBAB surfactant having shorter alkyl chain length exhibited lower binding efficiency and decreased sustain release of drugs as compared to CTAB having longer alkyl chain length.

Label-free, rapid, and sensitive detection of carboxylesterase using surfactant-doped liquid crystal sensor

Carboxylesterases (CES) has been regarded as a most effective biomarker candidate of the hepatoma cells and fruitfully used in the early detection. For this reason, establishing a reliable and simple system to detect CES has become attractive in the practical applications of medical diagnosis and treatment. In this study, a novel strategy for monitoring CES based on the aqueous/liquid crystals (LCs) interface was reported. A cleavable surfactant, N-octadecyloxycarbonylmethyl-N, N, N-trimethylammonium bromide (OTB) was synthesized and utilized to control the orientation of 4-cyano-4′-pentylbiphenyl (5CB) molecules on aqueous/LCs interface. The formation of OTB self-assembly monolayer promotes the alignment of the LCs, on average, normal to the surface (homotropic), whereas a corresponding black image was observed by polarized optical microscopy (POM). Subsequently, the doping of CES induces the hydrolysis of the OTB, resulting in the disruption of OTB monolayer and thereby an obvious dark-to-bright transition in the optical response. This optical transition provides a quick and easy way of detecting CES. OTB-decorated LC surfaces have been developed as a sensor, with a detection limit of 18 U/L for CES detection. As-made LCs-based sensor exhibits superior detection sensitivity and specificity towards the detection of CES, as well as the excellent long-term stability. The preliminary results shows success in sensing CES from the urine samples, which also suggests the promising detection performance of LCs sensor in practical situations. In summary, the as-prepared CES sensor, offers several advantages along with its cost-effective and easy fabrication procedure, demonstrates its potential for medically assisted therapy in human samples.

Ultrasensitive detection of glutathione based on liquid crystals in the presence of γ-glutamyl transpeptidase

Glutathione (GSH) is of significance in human pathology due to its many cellular functions. γ-Glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GT) plays a key role in the balance of GSH by breaking down extracellular GSH. In this study, we proposed a novel strategy for sensitive and selective detection of GSH based on LC sensing platform coupled with its inhibition of γ-GT. The γ-GT cleavable surfactant, dodecyl N-ethanamide N, N, N-trimethylammonium bromide (DAA), was synthesized and utilized to decorate the aqueous/LC interface. A black optical image of LCs was observed due to formation of the self-assembled DAA monolayer at the interface. Subsequently, the optical response of LCs returned to bright appearance after transferring γ-GT to the DAA-laden interface because DAA could be enzymatically hydrolyzed by γ-GT and the monolayer was disrupted. Interestingly, LCs remained dark images after the DAA-decorated interface in contact with the pre-incubated GSH and γ-GT. The detection limit of GSH reached 1 pg/mL, which demonstrates high competitiveness with the current assays. The detection mechanism of GSH was explained by Isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) measurements and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. This work presents an appealing route to achieve ultrasensitive detection of GSH according to its hydrolysis by γ-GT and the as-prepared simple and robust LC-based sensing platform has potentials in the diagnosis of GSH-related diseases (e.g. cancer, liver damage, and malignant neoplasms).

Effects of wheat gluten protein on the properties of starch based sustainable wood polymer nanocomposites

Wood polymer nanocomposites (WPNC) having attractive mechanical and water resistance properties were prepared through a completely green route using a mixture of wheat gluten protein and starch. Starch was blended with wheat gluten protein at different ratios (70/30 and 50/50) and then grafted with methylmethacrylate (MMA). The effect of wheat gluten protein on various properties of the wood composites was investigated. Citric acid was employed to cross-link the wood flour with methylmethacrylate grafted starch-gluten (MMA-g-SG). The most advantageous part of the reaction was the use of water as the reaction media in the entire process to prepare the green composites. To improve the further properties of the composites, different percentage of N-cetyl-N, N, N-trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) modified TiO2 nanoparticles were incorporated in the composite system and their effects were studied. The interaction among MMA-g-SG, cross-linker, soft wood flour and nanofiller were investigated by FTIR study. The probable interactions among MMA-g-SG, soft wood, modified TiO2 and citric acid in the formation of wood starch gluten nanocomposites (WSGNC) were established. The density functional theory (DFT) calculations were also used to study the interactions of the nanocomposite. The morphology of the wood starch gluten nanocomposites (WSGNC) was examined by SEM and TEM study. Composite prepared from 50/50 ratio of starch and gluten along with 3 phr TiO2 exhibited excellent thermal resistance, water resistance and mechanical properties.

Investigation on the properties of rubber composites containing modified clay

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the efficiency of organobentonite (OB) as reinforcing filler in acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR). The composites were prepared using different loadings of OB and studying in details their properties. A series of OB was modified using surfactant N-cetyl-N, N, N-trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) with concentrations 0.5, 1 and 2 cation exchange capacity (CEC) of bentonite. Design/methodology/approach – The different bentonites were characterized using different analytical and spectro-photometric techniques, such as infra red, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscopy, while rubber vulcanizate rheological, morphological, swelling and thermal properties were examined using different standard instrumental testing and methods. Findings – The study revealed that the modification of bentonite using CTAB showed significant enhancement on NBR properties, and the optimum filler loading was 12 phr for both 0.5CEC OB and 2CEC OB. These modified bentonites improved reinforcing properties to NBR vulcanizates. Also, results showed that composites exhibited remarkable improvements in tensile strength, elongation at break and hardness in the presence of modified bentonite and also an increase in thermal stability. Research limitations/implications – Na-B cannot be applied in rubber matrix without modification because it is incompatible with it. Practical implications – The modified bentonite is considered as efficient reinforcing filler which can replace other fillers because it has lower surface energy and improved intercalating behaviour in rubber matrix. Originality/value – These papered bentonites are cheap with relatively high purity, which make rubber/clay composites emerge as new class of material and can be used in different fields other than rubber.

Formation and dissociation processes of gas-phase detergent micelles.

Growing interest in micelles to protect membrane complexes during the transition from solution to gas phase prompts a better understanding of their properties. We have used ion mobility mass spectrometry to separate and assign detergent clusters formed from the n-trimethylammonium bromide series of detergents. We show that cluster size is independent of detergent concentration in solution, increases with charge state, but surprisingly decreases with alkyl chain length. This relationship contradicts the thermodynamics of micelle formation in solution. However, the liquid drop model, which considers both the surface energy and charge, correlates extremely well with the experimental cluster size. To explore further the properties of gas-phase micelles, we have performed collision-induced dissociation on them during tandem mass spectrometry. We observed both sequential asymmetric charge separation and neutral evaporation from the precursor ion cluster. Interestingly, however, we also found markedly different dissociation pathways for the longer alkyl chain detergents, with significantly fewer intermediate ions formed than for those with a shorter alkyl chain. These experiments provide an essential foundation for understanding the process of the gas-phase analysis of membrane protein complexes. Moreover they imply valuable mechanistic details of the protection afforded to protein complexes by detergent clusters during gas-phase activation processes.

Interaction study between drugs and some synthetic nanoporous composites

In this work MCM-41, MCM-41/NaY and Clinoptilolite/MCM-41/NaY composites that have CTMABr (N-cethyl-N,N, and N-trimethyl Ammonium Bromide) were prepared and characterized with XRD, SEM and FT-IR. Also, incorporation of two model drugs (sulfamethoxazole and metronidazole) with these composite were considered. The drug adsorption assays showed that three composites adsorb considerable amount of drugs, in particular sulfamethoxazole which was evaluated by UV spectroscopy. The results show that we have more adsorption of sulfamethoxazole for MCM-41/NaY that there is a direct relationship exists between the amounts of surfactant per gram of composite. TGA shows that the composites are more stable thermally when the ad micelles contain sulfamethoxazole in their interior. The results of adsorption of sulfamethoxazole showed that approximately 70% of drug was released from MCM-41/NaY-sulfamethoxazole system after about 24 h.

Characterization of different conformations of bovine serum albumin and their propensity to aggregate in the presence of N-cetyl- N, N, N-trimethyl ammonium bromide

To characterize the structural changes in bovine serum albumin (BSA) on the addition of N-cetyl- N, N, N-trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) and to understand the mechanism underlying aggregation of resulting protein–surfactant complex, UV–visible absorbance, steady-state fluorescence, SDS–PAGE gel electrophoresis, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and circular dichroism measurements of BSA–CTAB solutions were carried out. Changes in UV–visible absorbance and the fluorescence intensity on the addition of CTAB indicate the binding of CTAB to BSA. Changes in SDS–gel pattern of pepsin digested BSA sample, circular dichroism band at 222 nm, ANS intensity of BSA–ANS solution and hydrodynamic diameter of native state monomer on the addition of CTAB indicate that BSA unfolds in the presence of CTAB. Changes in the heme binding profile, temperature dependence of the heme binding profile and change from mixed to dynamic quenching in acrylamide quenching experiments of BSA solution on the addition of CTAB indicate that BSA unfolds to an intermediate. Turbidity and DLS measurements at 298 K, 323 K and 358 K indicate that the order of propensity to aggregate for different conformations of protein is: denatured > intermediate > native. The formation of aggregates is influenced by the nature of head and tail of the surfactant.

A practical and efficient synthesis of bis(indolyl)methanes in water, and synthesis of di-, tri-, and tetra(bis-indolyl)methanes under thermal conditions catalyzed by oxalic acid dihydrate

A simple, clean, and highly efficient green protocol has been developed for synthesis of bis(indolyl), di(bis-indolyl), and tris-indolyl methanes by the reaction of indole with aldehydes and ketones in the presence of oxalic acid dihydrate [(CO(2)H)(2).2H(2)O] and N-cetyl-N, N, N-trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) in water. Also, tri(bis-indolyl) and tetra(bis-indolyl)methanes as new bis(indolyl)methanes were prepared under thermal conditions.

Uranyl ion-selective optical test strip

A novel, optical sensor, test strip has been developed for the spectrophotometric determination of trace amounts of uranyl ions, UO 2 2+, based on immobilization of C.I. Mordant Blue 29 (Chromazurol S)/cetyl N, N, N-trimethyl ammonium bromide ion pair on a triacetyl cellulose membrane. Optimization of the sensor for the detection of low levels of uranyl ion is described. The test strip responded linearly to uranyl ions between 3.0 × 10 −7 and 6.0 × 10 −5 mol L −1; the reproducibility of the sensor at a medium level of UO 2 2+ activity was ±0.55%. The optical sensor can be regenerated using 0.01 mol L −1 HCl or 0.01 mol L −1 NaF solution after 10 min. The developed test strip was used in the determination of UO 2 2+ in ground water samples.

Enhanced optical and field emission properties of CTAB-assisted hydrothermal grown ZnO nanorods

We have developed a simple N-cetyl- N, N, N-trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB)-assisted hydrothermal route for the production of ZnO one-dimensional (1D) nanostructures on zinc foil at reaction temperature of 160 °C. With the increase of CTAB concentration, the one-dimensional structures change from microrod to a mixture of nano- and microrod and finally to nanorods. X-ray diffraction studies confirmed the proper phase formation of the grown nanostructures. The room temperature photoluminescence spectra showed that ZnO nanostructures prepared with increased CTAB concentration exhibited enhanced band edge UV emission and also blue shift of the emission peak. All the samples show no defect related green emission. Field emission property of the 1D structures has been investigated in detail. By tuning the CTAB concentration, the field emission property was optimized. The nanorods synthesized with high CTAB showed turn-on and threshold fields of 3.2 and 5 V/μm, respectively, which are comparable to the values for vapour phase synthesized high field emitting ZnO nanostructures.

Study of β-cyclodextrin/fluorinated trimethyl ammonium bromide surfactant inclusion complex by fluorinated surfactant ion selective electrode

The construction and performance of a liquid membrane electrode responsive to N-(1,1,2,2-tetrahydroperfluorooctyl)- N, N, N-trimethylammonium bromide (FTABr) and its use for the study of β-cyclodextrin/fluorinated surfactant inclusion complex is described. The electrode is based on the use of tetrahydroperfluorooctyltrimethylammonium-tetraphenylborate ion pair as electro active material in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) matrix plasticized using 2-Nitrophenyl octyl ether (NPOE). The electrode exhibits a fast, stable, reproducible and “Nernstian” response (59 ± 2 mV) for FTABr over the concentration range of 10 −5 to 2 × 10 −3 mol L −1 at 298 K. The lowest detection limit is 2 × 10 −6 mol L −1 and the response time is around 20–30 s. The validity of the electrode, for detection of fluorinated surfactant ions and hence to carry out electrochemical measurements to study micellization of fluorinated surfactant, is verified by comparing the critical micelle concentration (cmc) value of FTABr obtained by using the electrode, with that obtained by surface tension measurements. Association constant K for β-cyclodextrin/FTABr complex is evaluated from the potentiometric measurements carried out using this electrode and is observed to be ∼1.26 × 10 5. The results suggest that β-cyclodextrin forms an equimolar association complex with the FTA + surfactant ion.

Liquid crystalline behaviour of N-cetyl N, N, N,-trimethyl ammonium bromide: An experimental study

Ultrasonic velocity, dielectric constant, specific conductance, viscosity, density and other related physical properties of a lyotropic liquid crystal namely N-cetyl N, N, N-trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) in aqueous solution at various compositions have been studied. Solutions of different concentrations of CTAB in NaCl have been prepared. The change in miceller aggregation of the liquid crystal is indicated by the variation in the physical parameters within a range of concentration. Results have been used to elucidate the liquid crystalline behaviour of the compound in the solution.

Interaction of piroxicam with micelles: Effect of hydrophobic chain length on structural switchover

Molecules, whose p K a values can be easily fine-tuned by their microenvironment, are expected to be profoundly affected by the heterogeneous environments of membranes. Membrane parameters can have a strong effect in choosing a particular structural form of a molecule for incorporation/interaction. A case study has been presented for piroxicam, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug of oxicam group, whose targets are cyclooxygenases, which are membrane active proteins. The structural dynamism of piroxicam is reflected in the ease with which it can switchover or convert from one prototropic form to the other guided by its environment. In this work we have studied the effect of varying hydrophobic chain length and surface charges in fine-tuning the interaction of piroxicam with micelles. Interaction of piroxicam with three types of micelles with identical negatively charged head groups and varying tail lengths viz., sodium dodecyl sulfate (S12S), sodium decyl sulfate (S10S) and sodium octyl sulfate (S8S) shows that there is a shift in the apparent p K a in the direction that favors the switchover or conversion from the anionic form to the global neutral form. The binding constants of piroxicam with three micelles show a linear dependence on chain length. Interaction was also studied with micelles having oppositely charged head groups and different chain lengths viz., dodecyl N, N, N-trimethyl ammonium bromide (DTAB) and cetyl N, N, N-trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB). For micelles having identical chain lengths but oppositely charged head groups viz., S12S and DTAB, p K a shifts in two opposite directions compared to that in the absence of any surfactant. This is expected when electrostatic force is the only driving force. This case study demonstrates the effect of hydrophobic chain length and surface charges in fine-tuning the equilibrium between different structural forms of piroxicam. Our results also imply that for structurally dynamic drugs like piroxicam the nature of the biomembranes, characterized by different membrane parameters, should play a crucial role in choosing a particular structural form of the drug that will be finally presented to their targets.

Enantiomer separation by reversed-phase liquid chromatography with novel hydrophobic phases composed of chiral cationic surfactants

This paper describes enantiomer separation using four kinds of chiral stationary phases (CSPs) where quaternary ammonium surfactants containing l-valine diamide moieties into long alkyl chains were bound to silicagel supports by reversed phase liquid chromatography. Our aim was to examine hydrogen bonding association of the chiral moiety in hydrophobic phase brought about by aggregation of the micelle-forming surfactants on the surface. The following CSPs were thus derived from the vinyl-terminated chiral surfactants via hydrosilylation: CSP 1 from N-[3-(10-undecenoyl- l-valylamino)propyl]- N, N, N-trimethylammonium bromide, CSP 2 from N-[6-(10-undecenoyl- l-valylamino)hexyl]- N, N, N-trimethyl-ammonium bromide, CSP 3 from N-[3-(10-undecenoyl- l-valylamino)propyl]- N-octadecanyl- N, N-dimethyl-ammonium bromide and CSP 4 from N-[6-(10-undecenoyl- l-valylamino)hexyl]- N-octadecanyl- N, N-dimethylammonium bromide. The degree of hydrophobicity in the interfacial phase was observed by measuring pyrene fluorescence in aqueous media including an organic modifier. Retention of racemic N-acylleucine isopropyl esters was highest in CSP 4, followed by 3, 2, and 1. Largest α values toward enantiomer separation were observed for CSP 4 where the chiral moieties were kept through a hexamethylene unit apart from the polar head groups and to which another long alkyl chain was attached, as compared with those for CSP 4. In CSP 4, the chiral moiety to interact with enantiomeric solutes should be buried into the interfacial phase deeply in more extent than CSP 3. In a similar manner, CSP 2 has more effective for enantiomer separation than CSP 1. The interfacial phase of these CSPs was easily exposed to the bulk phase because of the affinity between the bulk phase and the polar head groups as well as their electrostatic repulsion. However, degree of the enantiomer separation can be controlled by the depth of the chiral moiety in the hydrophobic interfacial phase.

Incorporation of NSAIDs in micelles: implication of structural switchover in drug–membrane interaction

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) of oxicam group are not only effective as anti-inflammatory agents but also show diverse functions. Their principal targets are cyclooxygenases, which are membrane-associated enzymes. To bind with the targets these drugs have to pass through the membrane and hence their interactions with biomembranes should play a major role in guiding their interactions with cyclooxygenases. Here we have studied the interactions of three NSAIDs of oxicam group viz. piroxicam, meloxicam and tenoxicam with micelles having different headgroup charges, as simple membrane mimetic systems. Spectroscopic methods have been used to understand the interaction of these drugs with Cetyl N, N, N-trimethyl ammonium bromide (cationic), Sodium dodecyl sulphonate (anionic) and Triton X-100 (neutral) micelles. Our results demonstrate that the environment of the drugs i.e. the nature of the micelles plays a decisive role in choosing a specific prototropic form of the drugs for incorporation. Additionally it induces a switch over or change between different prototropic forms of piroxicam, which is correlated with the change in their reactivities in presence of different surface charges, given by the change in p K a values. These results together, indicate that in vivo, the diverse nature of biomembranes might play a significant role in choosing the particular form of oxicam NSAIDs that would be presented to their targets.

Synthesis of acid functionalized mesoporous ZrOSO 2CF 3 catalysts; heterogenization of CF 3SO 3H over mesoporous Zr(OH) 4

Mesoporous Zr(OH) 4 was synthesized using N-cetyl- N, N, N-trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTMABr) as surfactant at atmospheric pressure and reflux conditions for 48 h. After removal of the surfactant, the resulting mesoporous solid was functionalized with triflic acid (CF 3SO 3H, trifluoromethanesulfonic acid) in order to get the functionalized mesoporous ZrOSO 2CF 3 (ZrOSO 2CF 3 (M)) with enhanced acidity. The mesoporous Zr(OH) 4 and ZrOSO 2CF 3 (M) catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction, N 2 adsorption–desorption, FT-IR and solid-state NMR spectroscopy. The strength of acid sites in Zr(OH) 4 and ZrOSO 2CF 3 (M) samples was evaluated by temperature programmed desorption (TPD) of ammonia using various steps of NH 3 desorption (303–573 K). As the mesoporous Zr(OH) 4 is functionalized with triflic acid, the surface area, pore volume and pore diameter of the functionalized catalyst decreased, whereas the acidity increased. A significant activity of the ZrOSO 2CF 3 (M) catalyst is observed in the benzoylation of biphenyl (BP) because of the enhanced acidity and mesoporosity. Amorphous Zr(OH) 4 was also functionalized with triflic acid for comparison. The catalytic activity of functionalized mesoporous ZrOSO 2CF 3 was found to be 13 times higher than that of mesoporous Zr(OH) 4, two times higher than that of functionalized amorphous ZrOSO 2CF 3 and six times higher than that of SO 4 2−/ZrO 2.