Publication costs assisted by The British Petroleum Company Ltd.Aluminum atoms in different environments in a silica matrix show distinguishable acidic properties. Such materials, previously characterized by infrared studies of adsorbed pyridine, have been tested for benzene adsorption and ¿erí-butylbenzene cracking activity. Benzene adsorbs selectively on the aluminum-containing surface complexes. Thermodynamic data, derived from the isotherms, indicate that this adsorption is localized. Activation energies of cracking differentiate between aluminum on and within the silica lattice. The aluminum-in-silica catalysts display activity commensurate with pure Br0nsted acidity. The measurements support the concepts of acid-site structure, proposed in a previous paper.Silica gel (70-100 mesh BSS, U-30 grade "Sorbosil") was supplied by Messrs. Joseph Crosfield, Warrington, Lancs. The procedures for preparing aluminum-onsilica catalysts from this gel have been described pre-(1) K.
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