The liquid-phase benzoylation of veratrole with benzoic anhydride (BA) to 3,4-dimethoxy benzophenone was investigated using zirconia-supported silicotungstic acid (STA) as a catalyst. Catalysts with different STA loadings (5-25 wt%) and calcination temperatures (600-850 degrees C) were prepared by suspending zirconium oxyhydroxide in methanol solution of STA followed by drying and calcination. These catalysts were characterized by XRD, Raman spectroscopy, DTA, XPS, NH3-TPD, FFIR pyridine adsorption, and DRUV-vis spectroscopy. XRD results indicated that the presence of STA retarded the crystallization of zirconia and stabilized ZrO2 in tetragonal phase. Characterization of the catalyst with optimum STA loading (15%) by Raman spectroscopy showed the presence of zirconia-anchored mono-oxotungstate as the major tungsten species up to 750 degrees C. The catalysts showed both Bronsted and Lewis acidity, and 15% STA on zirconia calcined at 750 degrees C (15 SZ-750) had the highest Bronsted acidity and total acidity. The catalytic activity was found to depend on STA coverage, and the highest activity corresponded to the monolayer of silicotungstate on zirconia. Further, a comparison of the catalytic activity of 15 SZ-750 with zirconia-supported phosphotungstic acid (15%, calcined at 750 degrees C, 15 PZ-750) and silica-supported silicotungstic acid (15%, calcined at 300 degrees C, 15 SS-300) showed that silicotungstic acid and phosphotungstic acid supported on zirconia acted as efficient and stable solid acid catalysts, whereas silicotungstic acid supported on silica was leached into the reaction medium and catalyzed the reaction homogeneously. Under the reaction conditions of 120 degrees C and a veratrole-to-BA molar ratio of 5, the most active catalyst, 15 SZ-750, showed 99% BA conversion, and the deactivated catalyst could be regenerated by calcination without appreciable loss in activity. (c) 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.