Cesium exchanged heteropoly tungstate supported on zirconia as an efficient and selective catalyst for the preparation of unsymmetrical ethers

Zirconia supported cesium exchanged 12-tungstophosphoric acid catalysts were prepared and studied for the synthesis of unsymmetrical ethers from alcohols. The techniques of powder X-ray diffraction, FT-infrared and temperature programmed desorption of ammonia were employed to investigate the structural characteristics of the catalysts. The supported heteropoly tungstate catalysts were highly active for the synthesis of wide range of unsymmetrical ethers from primary and secondary alcohols. Optimum performance of the catalysts depends upon the extent of Cs substitution to TPA, which is related to the availability of surface acidic sites. The catalyst is reusable without any loss in catalytic activity.