Benzene or toluene alkylation in presence of aqueous ethanol

The alkylation of benzene or toluene to produce aromatic hydrocarbons like ethylbenzene or ethyltoluene was successfully carried out using an aqueous solution of ethanol of a concentration similar to that of a fermentation broth. A zeolite ZSM-5 pretreated with steam and a chrysozeolite ZSM-5 catalyst were found to be efficient and selective in the production of useful aromatic hydrocarbons like ethylbenzene or ethyltoluene at different pressures and reactant molar ratios. This alkylation reaction represents a new approach to the preparation of important hydrocarbons using ethanol produced by fermentation