A Recyclable Acidic Ionic Liquid Gel Catalyst for Dehydration: Comparison with an Analogous SILP Catalyst

Abstract

An acid-functionalized ionic liquid was entrapped within a silica gel to yield a recyclable liquid phase catalyst for the dehydration of rac-1-phenyl ethanol. Hot filtration tests showed that the activity was within the gel. Comparison with an analogous Supported Ionic Liquid Phase (SILP) system revealed fundamental differences in the properties and behavior of the materials.