Insertion of Gallium Oxide into alpha-Titanium Phosphate Using a Surfactant Expanded Phase as Precursor

Intercataled gallium oxide in ALPHA-titanium phosphate materials can be synthesized using a swelled phase such as cetyltrimethyl ammonium titanium phosphate as precursor. This is prepared in a single step by hydrolysis of titanium iso-propoxide with phosphoric acid via a supramolecular long-range ordered organic species acting as a template, which by cationic exchange with gallium oligomers and ulterior calcination at 823 K gives rise to mesoporous solids. These materials exhibit high specific surface areas close to 150 m2 g-1, high acidity predominantly of the Lewis type, which are active as catalysts in the conversion of the 2-propanol dehydration reaction at 493 K with conversions ranging between 50 and 83%, and total selectivities for propene.