The green and expeditious synthesis of sulfated titania with enhanced catalytic activity in polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers synthesis

Sulfated titania solid acid has been successfully synthesized by the one-pot method, which is an economical and environmentally friendly process, compared to the conventional two-step method. The sol–gel process was often chosen as the typical method to prepare these multicomponent samples with excellent chemical homogeneity. Surprisingly, the sulfate species was predominantly anchored on the surface of sulfated titania that was prepared by the one-pot method. Meanwhile, the typical material exhibited higher dimethoxymethane and trioxane reaction rates and polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers formation rates, compared to catalysts obtained by the wet-impregnation method. Moreover, this green process was more controllable and could be a promising alternative for the preparation of sulfated titania oxides.