One-step synthesis of cumene from benzene and acetone over a bifunctional catalyst

Abstract

The hydroalkylation of benzene with acetone on a bifunctional solid catalyst containing silicasupported copper and beta zeolite is studied. The effects of temperature (100–230°C), pressure (0.1–3 MPa), and composition of the reaction mixture (benzene: acetone) on the process are revealed. It is shown that optimal conditions for the reaction are the following: temperature of 150–170°C, pressure of 1–3 MPa, and (4–9): 1 molar ratio of benzene to acetone. At 170°C, 1 MPa, and a 9-fold dilution of acetone with benzene, the conversion of acetone is as high as 98% and the yield of the desired products (cumene and diisopropylbenzenes) is 94%, which is comparable to the parameters of the industrial process of benzene alkylation with propylene. Using acetone as an alkylating agent instead of propylene makes the proposed hydroalkylation method more attractive, due to the excess of cheap acetone.