A series of ecofriendly solid acid catalyst were synthesized by supporting phosphotungstic acid onto hydrous zirconia by an incipient wetness impregnation method in order to contribute towards clean technology. The support and resulting catalysts were characterized by various spectral and physicochemical techniques. Their catalytic activities were evaluated for oxybromination reaction of phenol by varying different reaction parameters. The electrophilic substitution of bromine generated in situ from KBr as a bromine source and hydrogen peroxide as an oxidant. The 15 wt.% of phosphotungstic acid supported on hydrous zirconia shows highest surface area, acid sites and gives about 93% conversion with 81% para-selectivity. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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