Alkylation of Xylenes with Isopropyl Alcohol over Acidic Clay Supported Catalysts: Efficacy of 20% w/w Cs2.5H0.5PW12O40/K-10 Clay

Abstract

The alkylation of xylenes with propylene or isopropyl alcohol (IPA) over solid acid catalysts results in the formation of isopropyl xylenes (dimethyl cumenes). However, the use of propylene as an alkylating agent at very high temperatures leads to coke formation, which results in deactivation of the catalyst. The present work covers evaluation of acidic clay-supported catalysts and sulfated zirconia. A variety of solid acid catalysts such as K-10 clay, sulfated zirconia, Filtrol-24, 20% w/w dodecatungstophosphoric acid (H3PW12O40, DTP) supported on K-10 clay, and 20% w/w cesium-substituted dodecatungstophosphoric acid (Cs2.5H0.5PW12O40, Cs-DTP) supported on K-10 clay under much milder conditions. The best catalyst to achieve maximum conversion and selectivity was determined to be 20% w/w Cs-DTP/K-10 clay. The reactions were conducted in the liquid phase at relatively low reaction temperatures (160−190 °C). The reaction was performed without using any solvent, and the process subscribes to the principles o...