Methanol conversion over metal salts of 12-tungstophosphoric acid

The sodium, boron, calcium, magnesium, zinc, aluminum, and zirconium salts of 12-tungstophosphoric acid have been prepared and characterized using X-ray diffraction, mercury porosimetry, the chemisorption of ammonia, and Hammett indicators. Methanol conversion at 350 °C and a variety of residence times produced hydrocarbons ranging from C1 to C5 in amounts which varied with the cation. The more strongly acidic salts produced the higher yields of hydrocarbons. The maximum yield of the major product C4 was found with the aluminum salt. The activities were related to the partial change on the oxygen atoms in the various catalysts.