Supported Keggin heteropolyacid catalysts for glycerol acetylation

Heteropolyacids (HPAs) are a class of molecular metal oxides called polyoxometalates, with a heteroatom in the cluster structure forming an oxo-metallic cluster with the addenda metal atoms. Due to the tunable acid-base and redox properties, HPAs have been used as catalysts both for homogeneous and heterogeneous reactions. Many efforts have been devoted to HPAs heterogeneization because, being soluble in polar solvents, their separation and recovery in liquid-solid regime reactors is a relevant practical application problem. Moreover, due to the low specific surface areas (1÷10 m2 g-1) their dispersion on supports with high surface area can increase the accessibility of the reacting species…