A mesoporous molybdenum
tungsten mixed metal oxide with high surface
area (173 m2/g) was synthesized by using metal dissolution
coupled with a surfactant assisted reverse micelle formation synthesis
method. Comprehensive characterization of the mixed oxide was performed
by using PXRD, Raman, BET, SEM, EDX, TEM, and XPS. Thus, the formation
of α-Mo0.5W0.5O3 with a homogeneous
distribution of Mo and W throughout the material was seen. Furthermore,
multiple oxidation states of molybdenum (Mo6+ and Mo5+) and a single oxidation state of tungsten (W6+) were observed. The weak/moderate acidic sites present in the mixed
metal oxide resulted in excellent catalytic properties toward the
sp3–sp2 carbon–carbon coupling
reactions. The coupling of benzyl alcohol and toluene was completed
within 15 min at 110 °C with 99% yield.