Acidic and Catalytic Properties of Modified Silica Catalyst with Benzenesulfo Groups

Two types of new silica catalysts modified with benzenesulfonic acid derivatives were prepared by esterification or phenylation followed by sulfonation. Both catalysts thus prepared were tested as acid catalysts for 2-propanol dehydration and cumene dealkylation reactions. B catalyst () were more active than A catalyst (). Highter catalytic activity for B catalyst may be accounted for by higher resistance to water, higher acid strength, more acidity, and better thermal stability as compared with A catalyst.