Catalytic Dehydration of 1-Propanol Over Silica Containing Sulfonic Acid Groups

Mesoporous silica with strongly acid sulfonic sites were synthesized and used as catalytic supports for catalytic dehydration of 1-propanol. This porous material with a large surface area and high porosity were prepared by a simplified sol-gel in an acidic medium and impregnated easily by -SO3H groups. The experimental results indicate that the very strong acidic sites contained on the surface are the seats of the reaction involving two molecules of n-propanol. By hydrogen bonding, ether compounds as well as the corresponding alkene are obtained in appreciable yield.