REVIEW ON PROSPECTS OF USING SOLID SUPERACIDS AS CATALYSTS IN PETROCHEMICAL INDUSTRY

Solid superacids are employed as catalysts for many reactions. They are more commonly used homogeneously. Homogeneous catalytic operations have several limitations such as corrosion of reactors,catalysts waste, water pollution by acidic waste water and difficulty of catalyst recovery, especially incontinuous industrial processes. The problems could be alleviated by the use of solid superacids catalysts,heterogeneously. The acidity strength of these acids is a key factor in the effectiveness of their catalysis.In some reactions such as alkanes activation, cracking, treating, and/or reforming large molecules, high acidities are required. This paper, reviews various types of solid super acids and their catalytic actions. It also describes new types of solid superacids studied and introduced recently. Some reactions utilizing each type of solid superacid are also discussed with a view to highlight the potentials for their use in the petrochemicals industry.