Synthesis of phenyl and phenylsulphonic acid functionalized-MSU and their catalytic performance

A series of phenyl-functionalized-MSU mesoporous molecular sieves were synt hesized under neutral condition ih the presence of biodegradable non-ionic polyethylene oxide(AEO(9)). By subsequent sulphonation of the phenyl rings attached to the silica framework, the phenylsulphonic acid functionalized M SU derivatives could be obtained. Their structure and property of the organ o-modified mesoporous molecular sieves were studied by means of XRD, FT-IR, TEM, HRTEM, C-13 MAS NMR, Si-29 MAS NMR, N-2 adsorption/desorption and pro be reaction techniques. The results showed that the so-produced organo-modi fied mesoporous molecular sieves featured bimodal pore size distribution an d the pore channel was similar to those in the MSU(worm-like), The organo-m odified mesoporous molecular sieves containing phenylsulphonic acid active sites, used as solid acid catalyst, showed a much higher catalytic activity for the formation of 2,2-pentamethylene-1,3-dioxolane(cyclic ketal) from e thylene glycol and cyclohexanone.