Preparation and Catalytic Activity of Porous Alumina by the Sol-Gel Process in the Presence of Saccharides

Porous alumina samples were prepared by the sol-gel process using aluminum tri-sec-butoxide in the presence of D-(+)-glucose, D-(-)-ribose, or sucrose. The crystallinity and porosity of the alumina samples obtained were controlled by changing the amount of the sugar added and the calcination temperature. The less crystalline alumina samples exhibited a higher ability of sugar adsorption and a higher catalytic activity for the formose reaction. These observations indicate that lattice defects act as strong base sites.