No abstract

Abstract:The milling by-product of rice, rice husk, constitutes a major waste of the agricultural industry. It is mainly used as a fuel additive for various purposes, leaving behind residual ash which is rich in silica (Biogenic silica). In the present project, rice husk silica was impregnated with Fe 3+ , Sb 3+ , Bi 3+ and Al 3+ from both their aqueous and organic solutions. The resultant catalysts were activated at 120 • C and 550 • C and used for the Friedel-Crafts benzylation of benzene using benzyl chloride.

Pinacol-pinacolone rearrangement was investigated over Fe-modified montmorillonite K10 catalysts in liquid phase. Exceptional activity was found to be associated with FeCl 3 impregnated on K10 through its acetonitrile solution. 100% conversion of benzopinacol was observed in 10 minutes. The catalysts are recyclable.