Synthesis and characterization of trifluoromethanesulfonic acid supported on mesoporous titania

Abstract

Mesoporous titania materials have been synthesized by using urea as a template via sol–gel reactions of titaniumisopropoxide, followed by the removal of urea by extraction with water. The solid was dried, calcined at different temperatures and impregnated with trifluoromethanesulfonic acid. They were extracted by a mixture of dichloromethane and diethyl ether using a Soxhlet apparatus in order to remove the loosely adsorbed acid. The solids were characterized by FT-IR, XRD, DTA–TGA, and BET. The acidic characteristics of the catalysts were determined by potentiometric titration with n-butylamine and the test reaction of isopropanol dehydration