Cerium (IV) Phosphomolybdate as a Bronsted Acid Catalyst in the Synthesis of Propyl Acetate

Crystalline Cerium (IV) Phosphomolybdate (CPM) an inorganic ion exchanger has been prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, XRD, thermal analysis (TGA) and spectral analysis (FTIR). The protons contained in the structural hydroxyl groups of the material are the active sites. The material shows good potential as cation exchanger and Bronsted acid catalyst. Na+ exchange capacity was found to be 7.00 meq/g. Catalytic activity has been studied using esterification of propanol as a model reaction wherein propyl acetate has been prepared. The study reveals the promising use of CPM as an eco-friendly solid acid catalyst.