Alkylation of benzene with long chain (C8-C18) linear primary alcohols over zeolite-Y

Abstract

Linear alkyl benzenes (LAB) are important intermediates in the manufacture of detergents and surface active agents. The alkylation of benzene with linear alcohols using Y‐type zeolite catalysts is described here. The alkylation of benzene with 1‐decanol was carried out over RE‐Na‐Y, RE‐HY, HY zeolite catalysts with high conversions of 1‐decanol. All the positional isomers of phenyldecanes formed during the reaction were characterized by comparing the GC data with the authentic samples. The alkylation of benzene was also carried out using long chain linear alcohols (C8–C18) under similar reaction conditions and the isomer distribution in the product was studied.