Strong influence of the polyanion structure on the secondary structure of solid heteropolyacids and their catalytic activity; methyl tert-butyl ether synthesis in the pseudo-liquid phase of heteropolyacids

Abstract

It has been shown that the high catalytic activity of a Dawson-type heteropolyacid for gas-phase methyl tert-butyl ether synthesis at low temperatures is attributable to its amorphous secondary structure, which brings about a flexible pseudo-liquid phase and facilitates rapid absorption and desorption of molecules.