Template-Free Synthesis of a Porous Organic-inorganic Hybrid Tin(IV) Phosphonate and Its High Catalytic Activity for Esterification of Free Fatty Acids

Here we have synthesized an organic-inorganic hybrid mesoporous tin phosphonate monolith (MLSnP-1) with crystalline pore walls by a template-free sol-gel route. N-2 sorption analysis shows Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area of 347 m(2)g(-1). Wide-angle powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) pattern shows few broad diffraction peaks indicating crystalline pore wall of the material. High-resolution transmission electron microscopic (HR TEM) image further reveals the crystal fringes on the pore wall. Framework bonding and local environment around phosphorus and carbon were examined by Fourier transform infrared (FT IR) spectroscopy and solid-state MAS NMR spectroscopy. The material exhibits remarkable catalytic activity for esterification of long chain fatty acids under mild reaction conditions at room temperature.