Effect of extrusion and silylation of ZSM-5 onpara selectivity of diethylbenzenes Original Research Article

Zeolite extrusion using an alumina binder in different proportions and its effect on the selectivity for thepara isomer in diethylbenzenes during ethylbenzene ethylation with ethanol is reported. The study also includes the silylation of extrudates of zeolites with differentSi/Al ratios to enhance thepara selectivity. It was observed that in the presence of binder the diethylbenzenes fraction contained lesspara isomer due to increased isomerization of primary product of alkylation. As compared to pure zeolite, the extrudates required a higher amount of silica deposition to enhance thepara selectivity.