Minimizing diphenylethane formation in alkylation of benzene by ethylene catalyzed by zeolite beta

摘要

Reduction of the amount of 1,1-diphenylethane and heavier polyalkylated benzenes produced in the formation of ethylbenzene by alkylation of benzene with ethylene can be effected by treating a non- templated zeolite beta at thermal oxidation conditions. The precursor zeolite beta contains at least 0.5% carbon which represents a combination of coke and high molecular organic compounds which are not removed by an extended benzene wash at about 200-250° C. The improvement leads to a product containing less than 0.3 weight percent 1, 1-diphenylethane relative to ethylbenzene.