Separation of Xylene Isomers in the Anion-Pillared Square Grid Material SIFSIX-1-Cu

Xylene isomer separation is considered one of the seven separation challenges that changed the world. In addition, the high-energy demand of xylene separation highlights the need for efficient novel adsorbents. Herein, the liquid-phase separation potential of the anion-pillared hybrid material SIFSIX-1-Cu was studied for preferential adsorption of o-xylene and m-xylene over p-xylene, which was inspired by a previous complexation crystallization method for separating m-xylene. We report detailed experimental liquid-phase adsorption experiments, yielding selectivities of 3.0 for o-xylene versus p-xylene and 2.6 for m-xylene versus p-xylene. Our theoretical calculations thus provide a reasonable explanation that the xylene adsorption selectivity is attributed to the C−H⋅⋅⋅F interaction, and the host–guest interaction order agrees with the adsorption priority: o-xylene > m-xylene > 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).     

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.     

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     

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.     

MFI纳米片沉积层气相转化制备超薄b轴取向沸石膜

利用乙二胺-水蒸汽进行气相转化（VPT）制备超薄、取向MFI沸石膜,通过将MFI纳米片沉积层转化为致密的沸石膜,实现了膜厚度的有效控制。扫描电子显微镜和X射线衍射表明,制备的沸石膜膜厚度约为280 nm,具有高度b轴取向的致密结构。丁烷异构体双组分分离测试结果表明,在333 K下,等物质的量的正丁烷/异丁烷混合物的正丁烷渗透速率和分离因子分别为1.5×10^-7 mol·m^-2·s^-1·Pa^-1和14.8。Na₂SiO₃作为低聚硅源在MFI沸石纳米片二次生长过程中能够提供硅源和碱度,通过在胺类蒸汽中实现MFI沸石纳米片间的融合生长,进一步提高了膜的取向度和致密性。     

MFI纳米片沉积层气相转化制备超薄b轴取向沸石膜

利用乙二胺-水蒸汽进行气相转化(VPT)制备超薄、取向MFI沸石膜,通过将MFI纳米片沉积层转化为致密的沸石膜,实现了膜厚度的有效控制。扫描电子显微镜和X射线衍射表明,制备的沸石膜膜厚度约为280 nm,具有高度b轴取向的致密结构。丁烷异构体双组分分离测试结果表明,在333 K下,等物质的量的正丁烷/异丁烷混合物的正丁烷渗透速率和分离因子分别为1.5×10^-7 mol·m^-2·s^-1·Pa^-1和14.8。Na₂SiO₃作为低聚硅源在MFI沸石纳米片二次生长过程中能够提供硅源和碱度,通过在胺类蒸汽中实现MFI沸石纳米片间的融合生长,进一步提高了膜的取向度和致密性。     

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.     

Rate constants for the gas-phase reactions of O3 with selected organics at 296 K

Rate constants for the gas-phase reactions of O₃ with ethene, propene, 1-hexene, 1-heptene, styrene, o-, m-, and p-cresol, o- and m-xylene, benzylchloride, acrylonitrile, and trichloroethene have been determined at 296 ± 2 K. The rate constants ranged from <5 × 10^?21 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 for m-xylene to 2.16 × 10^?17 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 for styrene, with those for ethene, propene, and 1-hexene being in excellent agreement with literature data.     

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.     

Isothermal Phase Equilibrium Studies on the Binary Mixtures of some Alkylbenzenes

Abstract

The gas chromatographic method proposed by us for simple and accurate measurement of isothermal phase equilibria has been applied to the binary mixtures formed by alkylbenzenes amongst themselves. Results on the binary mixtures of: benzene - toluene, toluene + o-xylene, toluene + p-xylene, toluene + ethylbenzene, ethylbenzene + o-xylene and ethylbenzene + p-xylene are presented in this paper. The present measurements on benzene + toluene system at 40°C are in good agreement with the isothermal phase equilibrium data available in the literature.     

薄片状MFI晶体无凝胶蒸汽辅助晶化制备b轴取向沸石膜

采用新型薄片状MFI沸石晶体作为晶种,通过无凝胶蒸汽辅助晶化法(gel-less steam-assisted crystallization,GLSAC)在烧结氧化硅多孔载体上制备了致密平整、b轴取向的MFI沸石膜。考察了GLSAC中模板剂浓度、釜底水量、生长温度及时间对MFI沸石膜的影响。扫描电子显微镜和X射线衍射结果显示,适量的模板剂和釡底水量能抑制晶种的面外生长。成功制备了厚度750 nm、致密平整的MFI沸石膜。制备的对丁烷异构体气体分离测试表明,25℃时,等物质的量的丁烷异构体的分离因子(SF_A/B)可达36,对正丁烷的渗透速率为1.5×10^-7mol·m^-2·s^-1·Pa^-1。     

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.     

An Efficient Aerobic Oxidation for p-Xylene to p-Toluic Acid using Azacrown Ether-tethered Mn(III) Schiff Base Complexes as Catalysts

The oxidation of p-xylene to p-toluic acid with air at 110°C under normal atmospheric pressure occurs efficiently in the presence of crown Mn(III) Schiff base complexes [Formula: See Text] (n=1-4). Significant conversion levels (up to 75%) and selectivity (up to 92-96%) are obtained; the effect of the azacrown ether pendants in Mn(III) Schiff base complexes on the oxidation of p-xylene are also investigated by comparison with the crown-free analogues [Formula: See Text] Moreover, addition of alkali metal ions accelerates the rate of conversion of p-xylene to p-toluic acid.     

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.

     

Acid-Catalyzed Regioselective Nitration of o-Xylene to 4-Nitro-o-xylene with Nitrogen Dioxide: Brønsted Acid Versus Lewis Acid

Nitration of o-xylene with nitrogen dioxide imparts remarkable selectivity to 4-nitro-o-xylene. The addition of Brønsted acids and Lewis acids can effectively improve the selectivity for 4-nitro-o-xylene and/or yield, and the Lewis acids present a better influence on the reactions than Brønsted acids do. A 71% yield of mononitro-o-xylene with high selectivity for 4-nitro-o-xylene (ratio 4-/3- = 3.91) has been achieved by the assistance of bismuth trichloride under solvent-free conditions.     

Intermolecular Interactions in Binary Liquid Mixtures of Styrene with m-, o-, or p-xylene

The densities (ρ), ultrasonic speeds (ν), and refractive indices (n) of binary mixtures of styrene (STY) with m-, o-, or p-xylene, including those of their pure liquids, were measured over the entire composition range at the temperatures 298.15, 303.15, 308.15, and 313.15 K. The excess volumes (V^E), deviations in isentropic compressibilities (Δks), acoustic impedances (ΔZ), and refractive indices (Δn) were calculated from the experimental data. Partial molar volumes (V⁰_?,2) and partial molar isentropic compressibilities (K⁰_?,2) of xylenes in styrene have also been calculated. The derived functions, namely, V^E, Δk_s, ΔZ, Δn, V⁰_?,2, and K⁰_?,2 were used to have a better understanding of the intermolecular interactions occurring between the component molecules of the present liquid mixtures. The variations of these parameters suggest that the interactions between styrene and o-, m-, or p-xylene molecules follow the sequences: p-xylene>o-xylene>m-xylene. Apart from using density data for the calculation of VE, excess molar volumes were also estimated using refractive index data. Furthermore, several refractive index mixing rules have been used to estimate the refractive indices of the studied liquid mixtures theoretically. Overall, the computed and measured data were interpreted in terms of interactions between the mixing components.     

Synthesis and Study of Mono-Schiff Base MnIII Complexes with Aza-crown or Morpholino Pendant as Catalyst in Aerobic Oxidation of p-xylene to p-toluic Acid

Novel mono-Schiff base Mn^III complexes with pendant aza-crown or morpholino groups have been synthesized and studied as catalysts in aerobic oxidation of p-xylene to p-toluic acid. The oxidation of p-xylene to p-toluic acid with air at 120 °C under normal atmospheric pressure occured efficiently in the presence of aza-crown ether substituted mono-Schiff base Mn^III complexes. Significant selectivity (up to ~90%) and conversion levels (up to ~38%) were obtained. The effect of the aza-crown ether pendant in Mn^III Schiff base complexes on the oxidation of p-xylene was also investigated by comparison with the morpholino pendant analogues. The addition of alkali metal ions accelerated the rate of conversion of p-xylene to p-toluic acid.     

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.     

High resolution adsorption isotherms of N2 and Ar for nonporous silicas and MFI zeolites

The high resolution adsorption isotherms of N₂ (77.4 K) and Ar (87.3 K) have been measured for two nonporous silicas with different silanol contents (3.3 and 0.35 OH/nm²) and for two MFI zeolite with different Al contents (Si/Al=12.5 and 500). Silanol groups and Al sites (acid sites) gives the significant effect on the N₂ isotherms at submonolayer, but the Ar isotherms are independent of silanols and Al sites. The Ar isotherms, therefore, are preferable in calculation of microporosity of zeolites. The N₂ and Ar isotherms for MFI zeolite (Si/Al=500) have been measured at temperatures of 77–94 K, from which the differential adsorption energies of N₂ and Ar are calculated. The interaction of N₂ with channel surface of MFI zeolite is greater than that of Ar in the range of α _s =0.1–0.7. The hystereses are detected for the N₂ isotherm in p/p ^o=0.1–0.3 at 77.4 K and for the Ar isotherm in p/p ^o=3×10⁻⁴–2×10⁻³ at 87.3 K. However, it is difficult to explain the hysteresis phenomenon using differential adsorption energy.