Liquid phase benzylation of aromatic compounds with benzyl alcohol catalyzed by niobium phosphate Original Research Article

The catalytic activity of commercial niobium phosphate was evaluated in the benzylation of aromatic compounds with benzyl alcohol, in liquid phase. The conversion of benzyl alcohol was 100% in the reactions with toluene, ethylbenzene, propylbenzene and p-xylene while the highest selectivity in monobenzyl derived compounds (91%) was achieved with p-xylene. The formation of dibenzyl ether was also observed, indicating the presence of Brønsted acids sites in this type of catalyst.