a solid superacid catalyst composition of a carrier material having a particle size of between 0 . 5 and 5000 nm and at least one pendant fluoroalkylsulfonic acid or fluoro , perfluoroalkylsulfonic acid group attached thereto . also , methods for making this catalysts by attaching pendant fluoroalkylsulfonic acid or fluoro , perfluoroalkylsulfonic acid groups to the carrier material by various procedures to form the catalyst composition .