The catalyst potassium iron zirconium phosphate [PIZP] was prepared by sol-gel method. The as-synthesized material was characterized by crystal size, elemental analysis, BET surface area, pore volume, average pore diameter, XRD, FTIR and DSC techniques. The catalytic activity was tested for the benzoylation of different arenes using benzoyl chloride as benzoylating agent. The reaction was carried out at different temperatures and catalyst loadings. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.