Mg/Al hydrotalcites with different Mg:Al ratios were prepared and character
ized by PXRD, FTIR, TG/DTA, basic sites and nitrogen adsorption-desorption
methods. It is confirmed from PXRD that the materials have hydrotalcite str
ucture. The basic sites of the samples were determined spectrophotometrical
ly by irreversible adsorption of acids having different pK(a) values which
showed that the basic sites increases with increase in Mg:Al ratio. The spe
cific surface area of all samples Lies in the range 170-231 m(2)/g. All the
samples were predominantly mesoporous in nature and pore diameters lie in
the range 40-70 Angstrom. The sample with Mg:Al ratio of 4:1 showed highest
specific surface area and conversion (> 86.5%) of acetic acid to acetone w
ith high selectivity at 350 degrees C. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All r
ights reserved.