Tert-Butylation of Toluene with Tert-butanol Over Transition Metal Oxide-Modified Hbea Zeolite. (March 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Han, Yixian; Song, Hua; Wang, Yuanyuan; Sun, Xinglong; Sun, Zhigang
• Is Part Of: Journal of chemical research. Volume 42:Number 3(2018)
• Page Start: 160
• Page End: 165
• Publication Date: 2018-03
• Subjects: alkylation -- transition metal oxide -- HBEA -- modified -- toluene -- tert-butanol; Chemistry -- Research -- Periodicals; Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540.5
• DOI: 10.3184/174751918X15220765507016
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1747-5198

Abstract

A series of transition metal oxide-modified HBEA (M x 0 y /HBEA) zeolite catalysts were prepared by the wetness impregnation method, and investigated for the alkylation of toluene with tert -butanol to synthesise 4- tert -butyltoluene (4-TBT). Their physico-chemical properties were characterised by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller and NH3 temperature-programmed desorption methods. M x 0 y /HBEA zeolite showed higher para -selectivity than parent HBEA due to its improved structural and acidic properties. Though the toluene conversion of M x 0 y /HBEA catalyst decreased, the 4-TBT selectivity increased significantly at 190 °C after 4 h. The narrowed pores after loading the M x 0 y prompted an increase in selectivity for 4-TBT by increasing the shape selectivity. In addition, the decrease in strong acid sites increased selectivity for 4-TBT by suppressing further isomerisation of the 4-TBT formed on acid sites. Among all the modified HBEA zeolites, Fe2 03 /HBEA exhibited the best catalytic activity and para -selectivity. The factors affecting the reaction over Fe2 03 /HBEA have also been investigated extensively.