Selective formation of cymenes over large pore zeolites Original Research Article

The catalytic properties of zeolite beta in the isopropylation of toluene, and transalkylation of toluene with cumene in the production of cymenes are reported. The influence of various reaction parameters such as temperature, space velocity, mole ratio of the reactants and time-on-stream are discussed. The activity and selectivity of zeolite beta is compared with those of mordenite and ZSM-12. Zeolite beta did not exhibit any product shape selectivity for any of the cymene isomers. However, the stable activity and higher selectivity to cymenes in zeolite beta is attributed to its highly siliceous nature and interconnecting channel system.