Synthesis of Amorphous Hierarchical Mesoporous ZnAlPO4 and its Catalytic Applications for Benzene to Aniline Reaction

This paper reports a distinctive property of hierarchical mesoporous ZnAlPO4 for benzene to aniline reaction, with 99% selectivity using aqueous ammonia as amine source in presence of hydrogen peroxide at mild reaction conditions (70 degrees C and atmospheric pressure). The catalyst is synthesized by a simple, solvent-free mixing method, which significantly improves properties such as acidity and porosity of the material is gained by increasing the temperature of the physical mixture from room temperature (25 degrees C) to 100 degrees C. Detailed characterization analysis by FT-IR, SEM, TEM, XRD, TPD, XPS, and N-2 adsorption-desorption studies of the material helped in understanding the direct amination activity of the material.