Evaluation of acid properties of mechanochemically synthesized supported niobium oxide catalysts in the alkylation of toluene

•Nb-loaded materials were synthesised by a mechanochemical approach.•The niobium containing materials preserve the characteristic properties of the parent support.•Lewis acidity was enhanced in the materials modified with niobium.•Nb0.5/Al-SBA-15 achieved quantitative conversion in short period of time in the alkylation of toluene with benzyl chloride.