A new family of phosphate oxynitrides was prepared by nitridation of an amorphous zirconophosphate precursor under ammonia flow. The oxygen substitution by nitrogen modified the acid-base properties of the zirconophosphate oxynitrides obtained. Surface acidity decreased sharply when bulk nitrogen content increased while basic properties as measured by SO2 adsorption calorimetry greatly depended on the O/N ratio. At 50 degrees C, the Knoevenagel condensation of benzaldehyde with malononitrile in toluene brings an 80% of conversion after 5 h. (C) 1997 Academic Press.
Fripiat, N., Conanec, R., Auroux, A., & Laurent, Y. (1997). Influence of nitrogen content on zirconophosphate oxynitrides acid-base properties. Journal of Catalysis, 167(2), 543-549. https://doi.org/10.1006/jcat.1997.1607 (Original work published 1997)