Ceria-modified hierarchical Hβ zeolite as a robust solid acid catalyst for alkenylation of p-xylene with phenylacetylene

Abstract

A ceria-modified hierarchical Hβ zeolite was prepared by a desilication-dealumination procedure followed by ceria modification. The catalytic performance of the ceria-modified and unmodified hierarchical Hβ zeolite catalysts for alkenylation of p-xylene with phenylacetylene was investigated. Various characterization techniques, including X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, nitrogen adsorption-desorption, and NH3 temperature-programmed desorption, were used to examine the structure-performance relationships. Our results show that the optimized ceria-modified hierarchical Hβ zeolite catalyst demonstrated higher catalytic activity, selectivity, and stability for alkenylation of p-xylene with phenylacetylene than those of pristine Hβ zeolite. This performance was attributed to more acidic sites and improved accessibility to active sites through larger pores, together with a higher mesoporous surface area and volume resulting from the hierarchical pore architecture and ceria modification. Thus, our 5 wt% CeO2-Hβ-B0.2A0.2 catalyst shows great potential for producing alkenyl aromatics through solid acid catalyzed alkenylation.