Isopropylation of naphthalene over modified faujasites: effect of steaming temperature on activity and selectivity Original Research Article

Naphthalene alkylation with isopropyl alcohol (IPA) to obtain 2,6-diisopropylnaphthalene (2,6-DIPN) was studied over HY and steam-treated HY zeolite catalysts in a continuous down flow micro reactor under atmospheric pressure with cyclohexane as the solvent. The catalytic performance of the catalysts for naphthalene conversion and yield for 2,6-DIPN increases with steaming temperature, suggesting higher acid strength is required for the dialkyaltion. Under reaction conditions, 250 °C, with a feed of naphthalene:isopropanol:cyclohexane=1:3:10 (molar ratio) and space velocity WHSV=4.86 h−1, 86% naphthalene conversion and a 2,6-DIPN yield of 40% was obtained with HY-700 catalyst.