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Alumina was synthesized by a sol–gel method using modifying agents such as 2,4-pentanedione, acetophenone, benzophenone, and dibenzoyl methane. The alumina supports were characterized employing N 2 adsorption studies and 27 Al solid-state NMR. The ZnCl 2 /Al 2 O 3 catalysts were made by impregnation of methanolic solution containing calculated amounts of ZnCl 2 on modified alumina supports. The influence of the loading of ZnCl 2 and also the effect of additive used during the sol–gel synthesis of alumina, were probed using Friedel–Crafts alkylation reaction. The alkylation activities indicated the predominance of pore volume in determining the catalytic activities of the catalysts, rather than pore size distribution.

ZnCl2–aluminosilicate catalysts were prepared via a sol–gel route involving fluoride‐catalyzed hydrolysis of aluminum and silicon alkoxides in the presence of NaF, KF, NH4F and ZnF2. The catalysts were characterized by employing 29Si, 27Al and 19F solid‐state MAS NMR. The dependence of the activities of the catalysts on the nature and amount of fluoride present in the catalysts were investigated using Friedel–Crafts alkylation reaction of benzene with benzyl chloride.