Cs salt of tungstophosphoric acid-promoted zirconium titanium phosphate solid acid catalyst: An active catalyst for the synthesis of bisphenols

Abstract

A series of novel xCsTPA-ZTP (x = 30, 40, 50, 60 and 80 wt%) solid acid composite catalysts were synthesized by ion-exchange process using cesium nitrate, tungstophosphoric acid (TPA), zirconium titanium phosphate (ZTP) with varied surface areas, acidities and microstructures. Detailed characterizations of the composite catalysts were done by Powder X-ray Diffraction (PXRD), Fourier Transform Infrared (PAR) Spectroscopy, N-2 adsorption desorption, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM-EDS) analysis, X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and Temperature Programmed Desorption (TPD). We have studied the catalytic activities, kinetics and reusability of the catalysts. 60CsTPA-ZTP is found to be an effective and re-usable catalyst for the synthesis of bisphenol A (BPA) and bisphenol F (BPF) using acetonitrile as solvent.