The first catalytic application of a nanoparticulate niobia solid acid prepared from a high area peroxo niobic acid sol, and its SBA-15 supported analogue, is demonstrated for the heterogeneously catalysed aqueous phase conversion of glucose and fructose to 5-HMF.

Hydrothermal saline promoted grafting (HSPG) of sulfonic acid groups onto SBA-15 and periodic mesoporous organic (PMO) silica analogues affords solid acid catalysts with high acid site loadings (>2.5 mmol.g -1 H + ), ordered mesoporosity and tunable hydrophobicity. The resulting catalysts show excellent activity for fatty acid esterification and tripalmitin transesterification to methyl palmitate, with framework phenyl groups promoting FAME production.