2272 ISSN 1070-3632, Russian Journal of General Chemistry, 2007, Vol. 77, No. 12, pp. 2272 2283. Pleiades Publishing, Ltd., 2007. Original Russian Text A.V. Lavrenov, I.A. Basova, M.O. Kazakov, V.P. Finevich, O.B. Belskaya, E.A. Buluchevskii, V.K. Duplyakin, 2007, published in Russkii Khimicheskii Zhurnal, 2007, Vol. 51, No. 4, pp. 75 84. Catalysts on the Basis of Anion-modified Metal Oxides for Production of Ecologically Pure Components of Motor Fuels A. V. Lavrenov, I. A. Basova, M. O. Kazakov, V. P. Finevich, O. B. Belskaya, E. A. Buluchevskii, and V. K. Duplyakin Institute of Hydrocarbon Processing, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Neftezavodskaya ul. 54, Omsk, 644040 Russia phone: (3812)67-04-14 e-mail: lavr@ihcp1.oscsbras.ru Received March 5, 2007 Abstract Experimental evidence on the production, structure, and physicochemical properties of aluminum, zirconium, and titanium oxides modified with halides, sulfates, and boron and tungsten oxides. Information on the application of anion-modified metal oxides as catalysts in the production of ecologically pure com- ponents of motor fuels, with decreased contents of aromatic hydrocarbons and sulfur compounds. Therewith, along with traditional hydrocarbon oligomerization, isomerization, alkylation reactions, actual arene hydro- isomerization processes and production of diesel fuels from vegetable materials are considered. DOI: 10.1134/S1070363207120328 INTRODUCTION The modern level of quality requirements to motor fuels is determined not only by the necessity of providing operational characteristics, but the obli- gatory requirement of ecological safety of motor engines. In particular, European standards have strengthened requirements for the levels of alkene and aromatic hydrocarbons and sulfur in commercial gasoline and diesel fuels. High-octane gasolines with reduced contents of aromatic hydrocarbons traditionally contain gasoline fractions of catalytic cracking products, as well as products of alkylation of isobutene with alkenes and of hydroisomerization of C 5 C 6 alkanes. Over the past years, along with alkylation and hydroisomerization, oligomerization hydrogenation of alkenes and hydro- isomerization of reforming gasolines are applied. These technologies all allow production of ecolo- gically friendly saturated hydrocarbons: alkanes and cycloalkanes, which, while not to a full measure, but appreciably reduce the arene fraction in gasolines. Catalytic oil-refining processes largely make use of bifunctional catalysts combining hydro(dehydro)- genating and acid functions. In most cases acid func- tions are provided by anion-modified metal oxides. The most widely applied is aluminum oxide, as well as circonium and titanium oxides modified by halide and sulfate compounds. Furthermore, tungsten, boron, and phosphorus oxides, too, favor higher acidity of metal oxides. In the present work we made an attempt to sum- marize available information on the methods of synthesis, structure, and properties of anion-modified metal oxides from the viewpoint of their use as catalysts for modern production technologies of ecologically pure motor fuels. Synthesis and Properties of Anion-Modified Metal Oxides. Nature of Acid Centers Results of modification of metal oxides, aimed at developing their acid and catalytic properties depend strongly not only on combination of modified oxide and modifier anion, but also on the mode of introduc- tion of the modifier and conditions of thermal treat- ment, determining the degree of interaction of the components and modifier content in the ready material. Both metal oxide directly and its hydroxide pre- cursor can be modified. Modifier anions are most commonly introduced via treatment of oxide or its precursor with solutions of acids or readily decom- posing salts, most frequently ammonium. Effective catalysts can also be formed by gasphase treatment of metal oxide with volatile modifier compounds. But