Benzylation of toluene and anisole by benzyl alcohol catalyzed by niobic acid: influence of pretreatment temperature in the catalytic activity of niobic acid Original Research Article

We have studied the influence of the pretreatment temperature (423 K and 573 K) on the catalytic activity of commercial niobic acid for the benzylation of toluene and anisole with benzyl alcohol. The reactions were carried out in liquid phase at reflux temperature of the mixture. Best results were achieved with niobic acid pretreated at 573 K, The conversion of benzyl alcohol was 78.9 to anisole and the main product was the monobenzylation product.