Transalkylation of cumene with toluene over zeolite Beta Original Research Article

The transalkylation of cumene with toluene over zeolite H-Beta is described. The influence of various reaction parameters on the cymene selectivity and cumene conversion are discussed. The optimum conditions for the selective transalkylation are found to be temperature 473–493 K, WHSV 4.2 h−1 and toluene-to-cumene molar ratio 14. The catalytic activity is compared with that of H-Y and H-ZSM-12 zeolites. Lower activities over these catalysts are attributed to their acidic and structural properties. Decrease in total activity with increase in the p-cymene formation is observed with time on stream in these catalysts due to coke induced shape selectivity and inhibition in the secondary isomerization process.