Metal supported and metal ion exchanged catalysts from palygorskite for acetylation reaction

Efficient solid acid catalysts from palygorskite have been developed by three modification methods, viz., acid activation, metal salt support (with FeCl3, MnCl2, CoCl2, SnCl2, ZnCl2 and AlCl3) and metal ion exchange (exchange with Fe3+, Mn2+, Co2+, Sn2+, Zn2+ and Al3+) for acetylation reaction in the liquid phase. The prepared catalysts are characterized by XRD, SEM, FTIR, NH 3 -TPD, cation exchange capacity, and BET surface area, and their catalytic activity tested by acetylation of primary and secondary alcohols using acetic acid. The modified palygorskites are found to be efficient catalysts for acetylation of alcohols with no loss of catalytic activity even after four cycles. The iron exchanged palygorskite is found to be most active.