Phosphoric acid modified montmorillonite clay: A new heterogeneous catalyst for nitration of arenes

• Easily available Montmorillonite clay is modified with phosphoric acid.
• Optimum amount of Phosphoric acid adsorbed on Montmorillonite is obtained.
• Modified clay efficiently catalyzes nitration reaction using nitric acid.
• Varieties of aromatic compounds are nitrated with high yield.
• The nitration process is highly efficient and clean.

The easily available montmorillonite clay is treated with phosphoric acid and 10 wt.% is found to be the optimum concentration of phosphoric acid that can be adsorbed chemically on the surface of the clay. Acidity of this phosphoric acid treated montmorillonite clay (PAM) is determined by volumetric as well as potentiometric titration and characterized. Catalytic efficacy of PAM in nitration of various aromatic compounds is reported.

Montmorillonite K10 clay (MK10) is chemically modified with phosphoric acid and used as heterogeneous catalyst for nitration of aromatic compounds.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide