Design of Binary Nb₂O₅–SiO₂ Self-Standing Monoliths Bearing Hierarchical Porosity and Their Efficient Friedel–Crafts Alkylation/Acylation Catalytic Properties

Alkylation of aromatic hydrocarbons is among the most industrially important reactions, employing acid catalysts such as AlCl3, H2SO4, HF, or H3PO4. However, these catalysts present severe drawbacks, such as low selectivity and high corrosiveness. Taking advantage of the intrinsic high acid strength and Lewis and Brønsted acidity of niobium oxide, we have designed the first series of Nb2O5–SiO2(HIPE) monolithic catalysts bearing multiscale porosity through the integration of a sol–gel process and the physical chemistry of complex fluids. The MUB-105 series offers efficient solvent-free heterogeneous catalysis toward Friedel–Crafts monoalkylation and -acylation reactions, where 100% conversion has been reached at 140 °C while cycling. Alkylation reactions employing the MUB-105(1) catalyst have a maximum turnover number (TON) of 104 and a turnover frequency (TOF) of 9 h–1, whereas for acylation, MUB-105(1) and MUB-105(2) yield maximum TON and TOF values of 107 and 11 h–1, respectively. Moreover, the catalysts are selective, producing equal amounts of ortho- and para-substituted alkylated products and greater than 90% of the para-substituted acylated product. The highest catalytic efficiencies are obtained for the MUB-105(1) catalyst, bearing the smallest Nb2O5 particle sizes, lowest Nb2O5 content, and the highest amorphous character. The catalysts presented here are in a monolithic self-standing state, offering easy handling, reusability, and separation from the final products.