Novel dilacunary phosphotungstate supported onto zirconia: Synthesis, characterization and versatile catalytic activity

Efficient strategy to synthesize dilacunary phosphotungstate has been introduced and a successful attempt was made to stabilize it onto hydrous zirconia. Characterization of the catalyst was carried out by various physicochemical techniques, further confirming its high stability after supporting. Catalytic activity was evaluated for esterification of alcohols as well as oxidation of alkenes with high turn-over numbers. The catalyst was recyclable up to three cycles without any significant loss in the catalytic activity. (C) 2016 Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.