Acylation reaction of anisole and benzoyl chloride produces 4-methoxybenzophenone which is an important intermediate for producing fine chemicals. In this work, Nafion impregnated SBA-15, SBA-16 and methyl-modified Me-SBA-15 catalysts were systematically synthesized and studied in this reaction. The results showed that the turnover frequencies over Nafion were higher than those over HBeta and sulfated zirconia and that the catalytic activity increased remarkably with the increasing of Nafion loading. The hydrophobicity modification of pore surface of SBA-15 promoted the conversion rate while reducing the polyaromatic byproducts. Nafion/SBA-16 is superior to Nafion/SBA-15 in molecular diffusion owning to its three-dimensional cubic structure, which was clearly shown in the initial activity. Selectivity of 4-methoxybenzophenone was favored during the reaction process.

Key words: Nafion resin, surface hydrophobicity control, SBA-15, SBA-16, acylation reaction of anisole and benzoyl chloride