ISSN:
1572-879X
Keywords:
Friedel–Crafts alkylation
;
1-phenyl-1-xylyl-ethane
;
α-methylbenzyl alcohol
;
mordenite
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Chemistry and Pharmacology
Notes:
Abstract In the Friedel–Crafts alkylation of xylene to prepare 1-phenyl-1-xylyl ethane (PXE), α-methylbenzyl alcohol was used as an alkylating agent over a mordenite catalyst. The catalyst was characterized by MAS-NMR, N2 adsorption/desorption, NH3-TPD, and various other techniques and was found to possess strong Brønsted acid sites. When temperature was low, the main product was bis-(α-methylbenzyl) ether. However, as the temperature went up, PXE and heavies, styrene trimers and heavier oligomers, became main products. The formation of PXE, occurring on strong acid sites, is favored by raising temperature, space velocity, pressure, and xylene/MBA ratio within the experimental ranges. As the catalyst deactivates, the selectivities to PXE and heavies decrease and those to linear dimer and styrene increase. A reaction mechanism is proposed.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1019043815439
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