Adsorption of xylene isomers on ordered hexagonal mesoporous FDU-15 polymer and carbon materials

The oil industry has been facing the challenges of separation of xylene isomers, o-xylene, m-xylene and p-xylene or removing them from the environment. In our present work, we investigated the adsorption of the three isomers on two mesoporous materials, FDU-15-350 polymer and FDU-15-900 carbon materials. The isomer adsorption capacities are well correlated with their physical pore properties. It is found that the micropores are very crucial for the adsorption of these three isomers. The more micropore volume the adsorbent has, the better the adsorption capacity is. Henry’s constants were also calculated for the three isomers on the two adsorbents. Both on FDU-15-350 polymer and FDU-15-900, the Henry’s constants for the three isomers show the same trend o>m>p xylene which is coincidently in accordance with their polarity trend, indicating more polar adsorbate is preferred for adsorption on the two adsorbents. The isosteric heats of adsorption are correlated with the microporosity and the size of the adsorbate molecule. More microporosity and smaller molecules give higher heats of adsorption. Extracted information on pore properties of adsorbents by using the three isomers has very similar results as that resolved from nitrogen adsorption, indicating the feasibility of using the three isomers as adsorbates to extract pore information. This work is devoted to commemorating the 60th birthday of Professor Mieczyslaw (Mietek) Jaroniec.     

Mechanisms of Xylene Isomer Oxidation by Non-thermal Plasma via Paired Experiments and Simulations

Xylene is a widely used solvent and industrial chemical, but it is also considered to be a volatile organic compound (VOC) pollutant. Meanwhile, non-thermal plasma (NTP) is a potential method for remediating VOC contaminants, especially aromatic hydrocarbons. During NTP degradation of xylene, the different oxidation mechanisms of three isomers, p-xylene, o-xylene and m-xylene, have attracted lots of attention but not been studied at the molecular level. In this study, the individual degradation rates of xylene isomers in a NTP system are measured. The results show the oxidation degradation rates have the following order: o-xylene?>?p-xylene?≈?m-xylene. Molecular dynamics simulations with an applied external electric field were adopted to examine the oxidation process of xylene isomers, as well. The oxidation rates from the simulations were calculated, the order of which is in a good agreement with the experimental results. The oxidation pathways of xylene isomers were analyzed more thoroughly to explain the rate differences. The external electrical field is found to have two effects: one is to speed up the oxidation rate of xylene isomers overall, and the other is to alter the oxidation pathways to increase the probability of the faster ring cleavage pathways of o-xylene.

     

A theoretical study of the interactions between N,N-dimethylformamide and xylenes

The ab initio and density functional (DFT) methods were performed on binary systems of N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) with xylenes (o-, or m-, or p-xylene), and seven stable configurations were obtained with no imaginary frequencies. To obtain the interaction energies of these complexes, single-point energy calculations with basis set superposition error (BSSE) correction were carried out at B3LYP/6-31G* and MP2/6-31G* levels. The structures, Chelpg (charges from electrostatic potentials using a grid-based method) charge distribution and bond characteristics of the mentioned complexes were calculated. The results indicated the presence of double C–H···O hydrogen bonds between DMF and xylenes in these complexes and the interaction energies of hydrogen bonding between DMF and xylene systems decreased in the following sequence: DMF–o-xylene: a1 > DMF–m-xylene: b1 > DMF–p-xylene: c1.     

Vapour–liquid equilibria of butyl acetate with aromatic hydrocarbons at 298.15 K

Vapour pressures of butyl acetate?+?benzene or toluene or o- or m- or p-xylene were measured by static method at 298.15?±?0.01?K over the entire composition range. The activity coefficients and excess molar Gibb's free energies of mixing (G ^E) for these binary mixtures were calculated by fitting vapour pressure data to the Redlich–Kister equation using Barker's method of minimizing the residual pressure. The G ^E values for the binary mixtures containing benzene are positive; while these are negative for toluene, ortho, meta and para xylene system over the whole composition range. The G ^E values of an equimolar mixture for these systems vary in the order: benzene?>?m-xylene?>?o-xylene?>?p-xylene?>?toluene     

Derivative Enthalpies of Adsorption of p-Xylene and m-xylene onto NaY and BaY Zeolites at 150°C: Contribution to the prediction of adsorption selectivity

The derivative enthalpies of adsorption of m-xylene and p-xylene onto the NaY and BaY zeolites were measured at 150°C, then compared with those obtained at 25°C, and finally used to predict the selectivity of adsorption of xylene mixtures. Significant differences were observed as the temperature was elevated: for the NaY zeolite, the adsorbate-adsorbate interactions became prevalent, in contrast with the BaY zeolite, between zeolite and derivative interactions were stronger. The difference between the adsorption derivative enthalpies of the two xylenes displayed an abrupt variation from 2 molec. ^–1 for both zeolites, the filling from which selectivity towards m-xylene for the NaY zeolite and towards p-xylene for the BaY zeolite appeared. The preferentially adsorbed xylene was closely connected with the sense of this difference, which changed with the zeolite.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Kinetic modeling of the ethylbenzene/xylene isomerization reaction over HZSM-5 zeolites revisited

In this article, a binderless dealuminated HZSM-5 zeolite (Si/Al = 41.4) was used as a catalyst for the isomerization of a mixture of ethylbenzene and xylene. The experimental results indicated that at low residence times the catalyst is effective to isomerize the ethylbenzene into xylenes. A comprehensive kinetic model considering chemisorption, surface chemical reactions, and diffusional processes was developed for this reaction. The intrinsic activation energy (71.99 kJ mol⁻¹) for the surface reaction of ethylbenzene into m-xylene was calculated for the first time, and the corresponding intrinsic activation energies for o-xylene to m-xylene and m-xylene to p-xylene surface reactions were calculated to be 59.45 and 50.68 kJ mol⁻¹, respectively. Lower apparent values have been reported in the literature, and we rationalize that they correspond to multistep processes and intrinsically include a negative activation energy pertaining to chemisorption. The results also revealed that the ethylbenzene diffusion within the zeolite channels was four orders of magnitude smaller than p-xylene.     

Monte Carlo and energy minimization studies of binary xylene adsorption in AEL and AFI networks

Adsorption of binary xylene mixtures in AEL and AFI networks was investigated using normal and biased GCMC simulations. Preferential o-xylene adsorption was evidenced in the simulations, as previously reported in single-component experimental data. In contrast to the FAU and MFI sieves, the AEL and AFI networks exhibit surprising azeotropic behavior. The selectivity switches from o-xylene to p-xylene at a gas phase mole fraction of ca. 0.5. Energy minimization was performed in the AlPO₄-11 molecular sieve to determine the energy differences between the adsorption sites. The minimization study showed that AlPO₄-11 has small adsorption energy differences between sites. The azeotropic behavior of the AEL and AFI networks can be explained using the two patch model proposed by Do and Do (Adsorption 5:319–329, 1999).     

Inversion of the Kirkwood–Buff Theory of Solutions: Application to Tetrahydrofuran + Aromatic Hydrocarbon Binary Liquid Mixtures

The Kirkwood–Buff (K-B) integrals play an important role in characterizing the intermolecular interactions in liquid mixtures. The interaction is represented by the K-B parameters, G _AA,G _BB, and G _AB, which reflect correlation between like-like and like-unlike species in the mixture. The K-B integrals of binary mixtures of tetrahydrofuran with benzene, toluene, o-xylene, m-xylene, p-xylene and mesitylene at 298.15 K and atmospheric pressure have been computed from the experimental data of ultrasonic speed and density. We have used the similar inverse procedure (as proposed by Ben-Naim) to compute the K-B parameters of the mixture, in which thermodynamic information on mixtures, such as partial molar volumes, isothermal compressibility and experimental data of partial vapor pressures were used. A new route has been incorporated by using regular solution theory in the computation of excess Gibbs energy for obtaining the partial vapor pressures of binary liquid mixtures. The low values of excess entropy, S ^E≈0, obtained for these mixtures indicate the applicability of regular solution theory to the mixtures. The values of the K-B parameter, G _AB, obtained using this procedure indicate that the correlation/affinity between THF and aromatic hydrocarbon molecules follows the order: benzene > toluene > o-xylene > m-xylene > p-xylene > mesitylene, which is in good agreement with the results obtained from the trends exhibited by the excess functions of these mixtures.     

A method for simulation of photochemical processes and calculation of quantum yields of reactions

The possibility of construction of a semiempirical method for simulation of photochemical processes and calculation of quantum yields of reactions has been studied. The practicability of the approach was demonstrated for the o-xylene → m-xylene, m-xylene → p-xylene, m-xylene → o-xylene, and o-diethylbenzene → m-diethylbenzene photoisomerization reactions as an example. The calculated quantum yields of the reactions are in qualitative agreement with experimental data.     

Arene Selectivity by a Flexible Coordination Polymer Host

The coordination polymers [Ag₄(O₂CCF₃)₄(phen)₃] ? phen ? arene ( 1? phen ? arene) (phen=phenazine; arene=toluene, p‐xylene or benzene) have been synthesised from the solution phase in a series of arene solvents and crystallographically characterised. By contrast, analogous syntheses from o‐xylene and m‐xylene as the solvent yield the solvent‐free coordination polymer [Ag₄(O₂CCF₃)₄(phen)₂] ( 2 ). Toluene, p‐xylene and benzene have been successfully used in mixed‐arene syntheses to template the formation of coordination polymers 1? phen ? arene, which incorporate o‐ or m‐xylene. The selectivity of 1? phen ? arene for the arene guests was determined, through pairwise competition experiments, to be p‐xylene>toluene≈benzene>o‐xylene>m‐xylene. The largest selectivity coefficient was determined as 14.2 for p‐xylene:m‐xylene and the smallest was 1.0 for toluene:benzene.     

A Porous Polyaromatic Solid for Vapor Adsorption of Xylene with High Efficiency,Selectivity, and Reusability

Development of porous materials capable of capturing volatile organic compounds (VOCs), such as benzene and its derivatives, with high efficiency, selectivity, and reusability is highly demanded. Here we report unusual vapor adsorption behavior toward VOCs by a new porous solid, composed of a polyaromatic capsule bearing a spherical nanocavity with subnano-sized windows. Without prior crystallization and high-temperature vacuum drying, the porous polyaromatic solid exhibits the following five features: vapor adsorption of benzene over cyclohexane with 90 % selectivity, high affinity toward o-xylene over benzene and toluene with >80 % selectivity, ortho-selective adsorption ability (>50 %) from mixed xylene isomers, tight VOCs storage even under high temperature and vacuum conditions, and at least 5 times reusability for xylene adsorption. The observed adsorption abilities are accomplished at ambient temperature and pressure within 1 h, which has not been demonstrated by organic/inorganic porous materials reported previously.     

An Adaptive Hydrogen-Bonded Organic Framework for the Exclusive Recognition of p-Xylene

Separation of xylene isomers is one of the most important but most challenging and energy-intensive separation processes in the petrochemical industry. Here, we report an adaptive hydrogen-bonded organic framework (HOF-29) constructed from a porphyrin based organic building block 4,4′,4′′,4′′′-(porphyrin-5,10,15,20-tetrayl) tetrabenzonitrile (PTTBN), exhibiting the exclusive molecular recognition of p-xylene (pX) over its isomers of o-xylene (oX) and m-xylene (mX), as clearly demonstrated in the single crystal structure transformation and ¹H NMR studies. Single crystal structure studies show that single-crystal-to-single-crystal transformation from the as-synthesized HOF-29 to the pX exclusively included HOF-29⊃pX is triggered by the encapsulation of pX molecules, accompanied by sliding of the 2D layers and local distortion of the ligand, which provides multiple C−H⋅⋅⋅π interactions.     

Design and Development of Zeolite-Based Catalytic Processes for Aromatics Production

Processes for the production of xylenes, which occur in an integrated aromatic complex, are discussed. A brief overview of the work carried out at Indian Petrochemicals Corporation Limited for the development of zeolite-based catalytic processes for the production of aromatics is presented. This includes xylene isomerization, transalkylation and disproportionation of C₇ and C₉ aromatics for maximization of xylenes, selective disproportionation of toluene and selective alkylation of mono-alkylaromatics to p-dialkylbenzene. Achievements in the commercialization of zeolite-based catalysts and processes for isomerization of m-xylene to p- and o-xylene along with dealkylation of ethylbenzene, and for selective ethylation of ethylbenzene to produce p-diethylbenzene are highlighted.     

m-Xylene Isomerization in SAPO-11/HZSM-5 Mixed Catalyst

The catalytic isomerization of m-xylene was studied over a solid acid silicoaluminophosphate type SAPO-11, mixed to HZSM-5 zeolite. The reaction was processed varying the temperature and weight hourly space velocity, using a fixed bed continuous flow reactor. The m-xylene suffers isomerization to p-xylene and o-xylene by molecular displacement of methyl groups. The mixed catalyst was selective to p-xylene at 623 K and 2.5 h⁻¹ with a maximum p/o ratio of 2.05. The ethylbenzene formation was not observed in the products. In this process an apparent activation energy of the order of 13.9 kJ mol⁻¹ was obtained. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Excess volumes of mixing of 1,2-dichloroethane and aromatic hydrocarbons

Excess volumes of mixing, V^E, for binary mixtures of 1,2-dichloroethane with benzene, toluene, o^?, m^?, and p-xylenes have been determined at 308.15 K over the complete composition range. V^E is positive for all these mixtures and varies in the order m-xylene >o-xylene >p-xylene > benzene > toluene. The experimental data have been analyzed in terms of the Prigogine's average potential cell model coupled with Balescu's theory. The calculated V^E values do not agree with the corresponding experimental values.     

Novel purification method of commercial o- and m-xylenes by shape selective adsorption on HZSM-5

Liquid-phase competitive adsorption of three xylene isomers on ZSM-5 zeolites was studied. HZSM-5 zeolites exhibited an extremely high para-selectivity, this para-selectivity decreased with increasing adsorption temperatures. The introduction of Na⁺ enhanced the para-selectivity. It is apparent that such a high para-selectivity is caused solely by thermodynamic shape selectivity. The complete removal of impurities with small molecular dimensions, such as p-xylene and benzene, from commercial o- and m- xylenes could be attained by the repetition of the shape-selective adsorption on HZSM-5 zeolites.     

Differential calorimetric enthalpies of adsorption ofp-xylene andm-xylene on y faujasites at 25°C

The differential enthalpies of adsorption ofp-xylene andm-xylene on NaY, KY and BaY zeolites were measured by isothermal calorimetry coupled with isothermal volumetry at 25C. Whatever the zeolite, the enthalpies of adsorption ofp-xylene andm-xylene at low filling were of the same order of magnitude. They did not show significantly the effect of the dipolar moment ofm-xylene. Their absolute values varied in the sequence Q ₀(pX/NaY)<Q ₀(pX/KY) =Q ₀(mX/KY)<Q ₀(pX/BaY)<Q ₀(mX/NaY) =Q ₀(mX/BaY)During the adsorption of the third molecule of xylene per -cage, BaY zeolite exhibited specific behaviour: the differential enthalpies of adsorption decreased with the filling of the -cages in such a way that they became lower than those of the other two zeolites. Some arguments concerning the structures of the zeolite and xylene molecules can explain such behaviour. Whatever the zeolite, the adsorption capacity of the -cages was 3.5 molec.^–1. For relative pressures ranging from 0.2 to 0.5, an additional adsorption of about 0.1 molec.^–1 occurred on the external surface.     

Separation of xylenes by extractive crystallization with calixarenes

Several calixarenes1–5 and benzopinacolone6 were recrystallized from 1:1:1 mixtures of the three xylene isomers.p-Iso-propylcalix[4]arene 1 was shown to extractp-xylene with 86% selectivity.p-Iso-propylbishomooxacalix[4]arene5 extractso-xylene with 84% selectivity.     

Densities and Volumetric Properties of Binary Mixtures of Tetrahydrofuran with Some Aromatic Hydrocarbons at Temperatures from 278.15 to 318.15 K

The densities, ρ, of binary mixtures of tetrahydrofuran (THF) with benzene, toluene, o-xylene, m-xylene, p-xylene and mesitylene, including those of the pure liquids, were measured over the entire composition range at the temperatures (278.15, 283.15, 288.15, 293.15, 298.15, 303.15, 308.15, 313.15 and 318.15) K and atmospheric pressure. From the experimental data, the excess molar volume, V _m ^E, partial molar volumes, _m,1 ^∘ and _m,2 ^∘, and excess partial molar volumes, _m,1 ^∘E and _m,2 ^∘E, at infinite dilution were calculated. The V _m ^E values were found to be negative over the whole composition range for all of the mixtures and at each temperature studied, except for THF + mesitylene, which exhibits a sigmoid trend wherein V _m ^E changes sign from negative to positive as the concentration of THF in the mixture is increased, indicating the presence of specific interactions between THF and aromatic hydrocarbon molecules. The extent of negative deviations in the V _m ^E values follows the order: benzene > toluene > p-xylene > m-xylene > o-xylene > mesitylene. It is observed that the V _m ^E values depend upon the number and position of the methyl groups in these aromatic hydrocarbons.     

Formation of ring-retaining products from the OH radical-initated reactions of o-, m-, and p-xylene

The ring-retaining products formed from the OH radical-initiated reactions of o-, m-, and p-xylene in the presence of NO_x have been identified and their formation yields determined. Experiments were carried out at 298 ± 2 K and in the presence of 740 torr total pressure of air. The products observed, and their yields, were: from o-xylene, o-tolualdehyde, 0.0453; 2-methylbenzyl nitrate, (0.0135 + 5.5 × 10^?17 [NO₂]); 2,3-dimethylphenol, 0.097; 3,4-dimethyl-phenol, 0.064; 3-nitro-o-xylene, 0.0059; 4-nitro-o-xylene, (0.0111 + 9.9 × 10^?17 [NO₂]); from m-xylene, m-tolualdehyde, 0.0331; 3-methylbenzyl nitrate, 0.0061; 2,4-dimethylphenol, 0.099; 2,6-dimethylphenol, 0.111; 4-nitro-m-xylene, 0.0018; 5-nitro-m-xylene, (0.0032 + 1.6 × 10^?17 [NO₂]); from p-xylene, p-tolualdehyde, 0.0701; 4-methylbenzyl nitrate, 0.0082; 2,5-dimethylphenol, 0.188, 2-nitro-p-xylene, (0.0120 + 2.8 × 10^?17 [NO₂]), where the NO₂ concentration is in molecule cm^?3 units. The nitro-xylene data are consistent with our recent product study of the corresponding reactions of benzene and toluene and indicate that under the experimental conditions employed the dimethylhydroxycyclohexadienyl radicals reacted with NO₂ and not with O₂. When combined with literature ring-cleavage product yields, these data show that ca. 55–80% of the reaction pathways are accounted for.