Conversion of 1- and 2-Tetralone Over HY Zeolite

Abstract

Conversion of 1- and 2-tetralone was investigated over acid HY zeolite under various reaction conditions in the vapor phase. Reactions were conducted in a fixed-bed reactor at 300, 400 and 500 °C in hydrogen atmospheric pressure. It was found that 1- and 2-tetralone are thermally unstable and thermal reaction has a contribution, particularly at high temperatures. The reactivity of 2-tetralone was significantly higher than that of 1-tetralone. This behavior is more pronounced in the presence of acid HY zeolite. For both isomers, the main products were naphthol, coupling compounds (4-ring), naphthalene and tetralin. Trace amounts of dihydronaphthalene, ring-contraction and ring-opening product were also observed. At high temperatures, isomerization and dehydration of naphthol were observed over the HY zeolite. It seems that on the acidic zeolite, hydrogen transfer plays a significant role in determining the reaction path. Thermal and catalytic conversion of 1- and 2-tetralone were investigated over HY zeolite. Tetralones are thermally unstable and 2-tetralone shows higher reactivity than 1-tetralone. This behavior is more pronounced in the presence of HY zeolite. Main products are naphthol, coupling compounds, naphthalene and tetralin. At high temperatures, isomerization and dehydration of naphthol were also observed over the HY zeolite.