The study involves synthesis and characterization of amorphous M(IV) tungstates [M (IV) = Sn, Ti or Zr] which are inorganic ion exchangers of the class of tetravalent metal acid (tma) salts. The presence of structural hydroxyl protons on such materials indicates good potential for Bronsted acid catalysis. The catalytic activity of the materials abbreviated as SnW, TiW and ZrW has been explored by synthesizing a phthalate diester-dioctyl phthalate (DOP).