Liquid phase alkylation of benzene with dec-1-ene catalyzed on supported 12-tungstophosphoric acid

Abstract

The liquid phase alkylation of benzene with dec-1-ene was catalyzed by 12-tungstophosphoric acid (WP) supported on different solids (ZrO 2, SiO 2, activated carbon and boehmite-Al 2O 3). Catalysts prepared with 20 wt.% of WP were thermally treated at 300 °C and then the acidity was estimated by FT-IR pyridine adsorption spectroscopy. Additionally, the catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction, thermal gravimetric analysis, and N 2 adsorption measurements. Thermal stability of supported WP and changes in textural properties of the catalysts were analyzed. Of all the catalysts, 20WP on SiO 2 showed the highest acidity and was found to be the most active catalyst in alkylation of benzene with dec-1-ene at 80 °C, at dec-1-ene conversion of 70% and alkyl benzenes selectivity of nearly 40%.