Synthesis and catalytic properties of mesoporous, bifunctional, gallium-niobium mixed oxides.

Thermally stable mesoporous Ga-Nb mixed oxides, active in both acid-catalysed and redox reactions have been synthesized via self-assembly hydrothermal assisted approach. Methyl oleate, a major component of biodiesels, undergoes double bond and skeletal isomerisation as well as dehydrogenation over these novel mesophases.