SULFATED ZIRCONIA CATALYST; ITS PRODUCTION BY MELTING THE PRECURSORS AND ITS USE FOR ESTERIFICATION OF FATTY ACIDS WITH ALCOHOLS

摘要

The present invention pertains to a solid acid catalyst of the formula M1aM2bOx (A03H) y, wherein M1 and M2 may be the same or different and wherein M1 is selected from one or more of the transition metals, indium, and tin and M2 is selected from one or more of the transition metals, the lanthanide metals, indium, and tin, A is selected from sulphur, phosphorus, and mixtures thereof, a is in the range of 0.01 to 1, b is in the range of 0.01 to 1, x is in the range of 1 to 4, y is in the range of 0.01-1, wherein the catalyst has a total sulphur and/or phosphorus content of 3-10 wt.%, a surface are of 50-200 m2/g, a pore volume of at least 0.15 ml/g, and an average pore diameter of at least 40 Å. The invention also pertains to a process for manufacturing the catalyst and to its use in esterification processes.