Tin Dioxide-Based Superacid Aerogels Produced Using Propylene Oxide

Abstract

Tin dioxide-based aerogels were produced by supercritical drying of gels, synthesized using propylene oxide, in CO₂ and isopropanol. Aerogels consisted of nanocrystalline cassiterite and had a specific surface area of 210–270 m²/g. Sulfation with sulfuryl chloride imparted superacidic properties to the aerogels (the Hammett acidity function H₀ reached values within the range – 11.99 ≥ H₀ ≥ –12.7). Superacid SnO₂ aerogels demonstrated high catalytic activity in 1-hexene oligomerization and isomerization.