UDCaT-5, a zirconia-based catalyst, with high sulfur content (9%w/w) but preservation of the tetragonal phase of zirconia was synthesized for the first time, by using
chlorosulfonic acid as a new source for sulfate ions. UDCaT-5 was characterized by using elemental analysis, FTIR, ammonia-TPD, XRD, and BET surface area. Its catalytic activity and stability were evaluated and compared with S
ZrO
2 in three different reactions. The characterization and reaction studies show that UDCaT-5 exhibits more super
acidity vis-à-vis conventional sulfated zirconia prepared by using sulfuric
acid.