Liquid phase alkylation of benzene with dec-1-ene catalyzed on supported 12-tungstophosphoric acid

The liquid phase alkylation of benzene with dec-1-ene was catalyzed by 12-tungstophosphoric acid (WP) supported on different solids (ZrO2, SiO2, activated carbon and boehmite-Al2O3). Catalysts prepared with 20 wt.% of WP were thermally treated at 300 °C and then the acidity was estimated by FT-IR pyridine adsorption spectroscopy. Additionally, the catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction, thermal gravimetric analysis, and N2 adsorption measurements. Thermal stability of supported WP and changes in textural properties of the catalysts were analyzed. Of all the catalysts, 20WP on SiO2 showed the highest acidity and was found to be the most active catalyst in alkylation of benzene with dec-1-ene at 80 °C, at dec-1-ene conversion of 70% and alkyl benzenes selectivity of nearly 40%.