Production of Di-isopropyl ether (DIPE) over 12-Molybdophosphoric Acid Supported on ZrO 2 . An Alternative Octane Enhancer for Lead-free Petrol

Solid acid catalysts of 12-Molybdophosphoric acid (MoP) supported on hydrous zirconia have been synthesized using impregnation method. Structural transformations due to thermal effects have been studied by different techniques including X-Ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), infrared absorption (DRIFT), Raman spectroscopy and 31 P MAS NMR. These techniques showed that the heteropolyacid present undegraded Keggin structure. The transformation of heteropoly anion of pure HPMo to MoO 3 begins at a temperature lower than that for its ZrO 2 -supported counterpart. The activity of ZrO 2 -supported (MoP-Z) catalysts in the 2-propanol decomposition presents a high selectivity to the formation of DIPE and propene, this selectivity is related with acid sites determined by thermodesorption (TPD) of NH 3 .