| abstract |
The present invention provides a method of preparing an amorphous niobate from at least one metal of Group 4 of the Periodic Table of the Elements, the amorphous niobate having a total pore volume of at least 0.3 mL/g. The method of preparation involves the use of pore forming conditions which may be the use of a pore former and, where appropriate, increased precipitation temperatures (e.g., at least 60 ° C). The bismuth salt of the present invention is particularly suitable for catalytic reactions such as esterification, Michael additions, transesterification, (ring) oxidation, hydroxylation, or for adsorption of smaller inorganic and organic molecules (such as CO2 or Aromatic compound). |