Insertion of gallium oxide into alpha-titanium phosphate using a surfactant expanded phase as precursor

Intercataled gallium oxide in a-titanium phosphate materials can be synthes ized using a swelled phase such as cetyltrimethylammonium titanium phosphat e as precursor. This is prepared in a single step by hydrolysis of titanium iso-propoxide with phosphoric acid via a supramolecular long-range ordered organic species acting as a template, which by cationic exchange with gall ium oligomers and ulterior calcination at 823 K gives rise to mesoporous so lids. These materials exhibit high specific surface areas close to 150 m(2) g(-1), high acidity predominantly of the Lewis type, which are active as c atalysts in the conversion of the 2-propanol dehydration reaction at 493 K with conversions ranging between 50 and 83%, and total selectivities for pr opene. (C) 1999 Academic Press.