Preparation of highly superacidic sulfated zirconia via combustion synthesis and its application in Pechmann condensation of resorcinol with ethyl acetoacetate

► A novel zirconia-based catalyst through combustion synthesis. ► First report of highest superacidity relative to the conventional sulfated zirconia. ► Characterization by XRD, FTIR, TPD, EDAX, SEM, and BET surface area and pore size analysis. ► Pechmann condensation reaction of resorcinol and ethyl acetoacetate. ► Mechanism and kinetics of reaction.