Synthesis, Reactions and Interactions of Olefins, Aromatics and Alcohols in Molecular Sieve Catalyst Systems

Abstract

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the synthesis, reactions, and interactions of olefins, aromatics, and alcohols in molecular sieve catalyst systems. There exists a hierarchy of olefin–zeolite and aromatic zeolite interactions that ranges from diffusion and the mildest adsorption effects to bimolecular condensation, cracking, and severe reorganizations of molecular structure. Because the pores of zeolites are uniform and of sizes characteristic of simple organic molecules, diffusion and chemical reaction are greatly influenced by variation in size, shape, and polarity of the guest molecule and in the configuration and geometry of the host crystal. Olefins and aromatics also play major role—over a wide range of conditions—in the formation of coke. Pore mouth catalysis and reverse molecular size selectivity (“the faujasite trap”) have been observed in the reactions of low molecular weight olefins at relatively low temperatures. The critically important role of olefins in intermolecular hydrogen transfer reactions and in formation of coke over a wide range of conditions cannot be overemphasized.