Synthesis, characterization and catalytic activity of a novel mesoporous aluminosilicate catalyst prepared by a citric acid route

Abstract A novel mesoporous aluminosilicate catalyst was synthesized using citric acid (CA) as pore-forming agent. XRD, TG-DTA, TEM and N 2 adsorption characterization results confirmed the presence of interconnected worm-like mesoporous structure in the novel mesoporous aluminosilicate catalyst. 27 Al MAS NMR and NH 3 -TPD techniques suggested that most of Al was introduced into mesoporous framework and imparted acid sites. Catalytic test showed that the novel mesoporous aluminosilicate catalyst exhibited high catalytic activity for alkylation of phenol with tert -butanol. The excellent catalytic activity and high 2,4-di-TBP selectivity were mainly assigned to the acidity of the novel mesoporous aluminosilicate catalyst.