Porous Phosphate Heterostructure Materials as Green Catalysts in Prins Condensation

Various ion-exchanged porous phosphate hetemstructure (PPH) materials were prepared and characterized by SEM, N₂ adsorption and infrared spectra of pyridine adsorption (Py-IR). Their catalytic behavior for the Prins condensation of β-pinene with paraformaldehyde was investigated. All catalysts exhibit good activities and selectivities towards nopol. 

Zn-ZrP is a more selective one in comparison to others, due to abundant Lewis acid sites and less Bronsted acid sites on the surface. The conversion of β-pinene and the yield of nopol on the catalyst reach 91% and 83% at 80°C. The catalyst is stable and reusable, and the product yield is only reduced by 12% after five runs. The reduction in activity is probably caused by deposition of coke on the active sites and partial collapse of porous structure.