IR spectroscopy of N-methylpyrrole adsorbed on oxides--a probe of surface acidity

IR spectra of N-methylpyrrole (NMP) have been measured following adsorption on, and subsequent desorption from, SiO(2), TiO(2), ZrO(2), SiO(2)-Al(2)O(3), H-mordenite, and sepiolite. Three modes of adsorption have been observed: (i) hydrogen bonding to surface hydroxyl groups, (ii) electron transfer at Lewis acidic surface sites, and (iii) proton transfer at Br?nsted acidic surface sites. Protonation of NMP was detected only for adsorption on SiO(2)-Al(2)O(3) and H-mordenite, indicating the presence of Br?nsted acidic sites with pK(a) values