PRODUCTION OF p-CYMENE BY ALKYLATION OF TOLUENE WITH PROPAN-2-OL

摘要

In this study, a series of phosphorous-modified zeolite catalysts--0.7% P-ZSM-5, 3% P-ZSM-5, and 5% P-ZSM-5--were prepared by wet impregnation followed by calcination. The prepared catalysts were utilized for the synthesis of p-cymene via alkylation of toluene with propan-2-ol in a fixed bed reactor. Among them, unmodified ZSM-5 was found to be the best catalyst with 53% conversion and 78% selectivity at 523 K. All the catalysts were analyzed by different characterization techniques such as X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray, N_2 adsorption-desorption isotherm analysis, and surface area. The effect of various parameters such as catalyst loading, temperature, catalyst quantity, feed rate, and the mole ratio of reactants were studied to achieve the highest conversion and selectivity for the desired product.