Surface properties and the catalytic activity of amorphous iron aluminophosphates: Effect of fe loading

Iron aluminophosphates (FeAlP) with different percentage of iron were synthesized and characterized for their surface and bulk properties. The catalytic activity was determined in the transesterification of diethyl malonate with benzyl alcohol. Benzyl ethylmalonate and dibenzyl malonate were obtained as the only products. FeAlP with 0.025 mole % of iron was found to be distinctly different in its textural and catalytic properties. Formation of diester was found to be favored by the acid sites of intermediate strength. The presence of hydrated alumina and the polycondensed phosphates in the materials reduced the catalytic activity of iron aluminophosphates in transesterification reaction.