Sulphated mesoporous solid Bronsted acid catalyst (SO4-AIMCM-41) was prepared by impregnation of sulphuric acid on the surface of H-AIMCM-41. Characterization of SO4-AIMCM-41 by pyridine adsorption studies and Al-27 MAS NMR showed that the presence of Bronsted acidity was correlated with octahedrally coordinated aluminium and solvent environment. Catalytic study demonstrated that the SO4-AIMCM-41 catalyst has a higher activity in the dibenzoylation of biphenyl with benzoyl chloride than sulphuric acid, H-AIMCM-41 and sulphated amorphous silica. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.