Well-dispersed sulfated zirconia nanoparticles as high-efficiency catalysts for the synthesis of bis(indolyl)methanes and biodiesel

High-dispersion sulfated zirconia nanoparticles were synthesized through a novel two-step precipitation method with poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) as a surfactant. In the presence of sulfated zirconia as a catalyst, bis(indolyl)methanes and biodiesel were synthesized, and satisfactory yields and esterification ratio were obtained under optimal reaction conditions. The mechanism of the formation of the sulfated zirconia nanoparticles was also proposed.