Acidic catalyst
Catalysts are disclosed having metal oxide support structures and acidic reaction sites. Those reaction sites may have multiple bromine atoms bound to an aluminum atom with that aluminum-bromine group having an associated hydrogen ion. Additional structural features of the reaction sites are dictated by the aluminum oxide based catalysts and a silicon oxide based catalyst selected.
1. A composition of matter comprising:
a. a catalyst comprising a metal oxide support structure and an acidic reaction site;
b. wherein the acidic reaction site has a composition selected from the general formulas:
c. wherein M 1 , M 2 , M 3 and M 4 , when present, are selected from:
i. a first group in which M 1 is Al, M 2 is Al, M 3 is Al and M 4 is Al,
ii. a second group in which M 1 is Si, M 2 is Si, M 3 is Si and M 4 is Si and
iii. a third group in which M 1 is Si, M 2 is Al, M 3 is Si and M 4 is Si;
d. wherein the metal oxide support structure is selected from an aluminum oxide based catalyst and a silicon oxide based catalyst and
e. wherein the open-ended bonds depicted in the general formulas connect the acidic reaction site to the metal oxide support structure.
2. The composition of matter of claim 1 wherein M 1 is Al, M 2 is Al, M 3 is Al and M 4 , when present, is Al.
3. The composition of matter of claim 1 wherein M 1 is Si, M 2 is Al, M 3 is Si and M 4 , when present, is Si.
4. The composition of matter of claim 1 wherein M 1 is Si, M 2 is Si, M 3 is Si and M 4 , when present, is Si.