Isopropylation of benzene with 2-propanol over substituted large pore aluminophosphate-based molecular sieves

Large pore aluminophosphate-based molecular sieves like AlPO₄-5, MAPO-5, MnAPO-5 and ZAPO-5 were synthesised hydrothermally using triethylamine as a structure directing agent. These materials were characterised by X-ray diffraction (XRD),²⁷A1 and³¹P MAS-NMR, ICP-MS,n-butylamine-TPD, BET and SEM. The catalytic performance of these materials was tested for isopropylation of benzene with 2-propanol at 250, 300, 350 and 400°C. The products were cumene,p-DIPB (p-diisopropylbenzene) andm-DIPB (m-diisopropylbenzene). MnAPO-5 was found to be more active than the other catalysts. Maximum conversion (20%) was noted at 350°C over MnAPO-5. The selectivity to DIPB was found to decrease with time on stream but the selectivity to cumene showed an increase after 3 h of time on stream     

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.     

A comparative study on catalytic performance of modified nanocrystalline and microcrystalline zeolite X for synthesis of cumene by transalkylation of 1,4-diisopropylbenzene with benzene

Cumene is a commercially important product in the petrochemical industries. In isopropylation of benzene, 1,4-diisopropyl benzene (1,4-DIPB) is produced as low value by-product. This low value by-product DIPB is used to maximize the production of commercially important product cumene by transalkylation reaction. Reduction of crystal size in zeolite can increase surface area of the external surface and in this way bring about substantial changes in catalytic activity. Moreover modification with rare-earth metal enhances the acidity of zeolite. In this work, nanocrystalline and microcrystalline zeolite X were modified with cerium to study the combine effect of crystal size and ion modification of zeolite on selectivity of cumene in commercially important transalkylation reaction. Benzene and 1,4-diisopropylbenzene in a molar ratio of 1 to 12.5 were subjected to vapour-phase reaction in the temperature range of 498 to 593 K at atmospheric pressure with space time of 5.27–10.54 kg h/kmol. Nanosized crystalline zeolite gives much higher conversions of 1,4-DIPB than microcrystalline zeolite. Over cerium modified nanosized zeolite CeX_N 81.85% conversion of 1,4-DIPB and 97% cumene selectivity were achieved. It was found that stability and activity of CeX_N for cumene synthesis was much higher than that of CeX_M zeolite. Kinetic constants for the reactions were estimated and the activation energies for various reactions over CeX_M were determined. The activation enegy for transalkylation reaction was found to be 78.54 kJ/mol.     

Catalytic properties of zeolites MCM-22 and NU-87 in disproportionation of toluene

The catalytic properties of MCM-22 and NU-87 were investigated for the disproportionation of toluene to produce benzene and xylene, and the results were compared with those obtained over mordenite, beta and ZSM-5. It turns out that dealumination of MCM-22 removes selectively the acid sites from the external surface and thus suppresses the secondary isomerization of p-xylene, enhancing the para-selectivity. This indicates that the dealuminated MCM-22 is a promising catalyst for the selective formation of p-xylene from toluene disproportionation. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Hydroxylated terphenylphosphine ligands for palladium-catalyzed ortho-selective cross-coupling of dibromophenols, dibromoanilines, and their congeners with Grignard reagents

p-Terphenylphosphines bearing one or two hydroxy groups were used as ligands to palladium in the cross-coupling of dibromophenols, dibromoanilines, and their congeners with Grignard reagents. High ortho-selectivity that cannot be achieved using other phosphine ligands was observed. ortho-Preference was also observed in competitive cross-coupling reactions of two substrates. A significant effect of the concentration of the Grignard reagent on the ortho-selectivity was observed, when the hydroxylated terphenylphosphines were used. Kinetic studies on this effect showed that high concentrations of the Grignard reagent retard the cross-coupling reaction only at the para-position, but not at the ortho-position.     

Mechanistic studies on particle nucleation in the batch emulsion polymerisation of<Emphasis Type="Italic"> n</Emphasis>-butyl acrylate containing multifunctional monomers

This paper reports the mechanistic details concerning the synthesis of crosslinked poly(n-butyl acrylate) dispersions intended to be used as seeds in the preparation of core-shell emulsions. The influence of crosslinking comonomers and the amount and type of surfactants on the kinetics, particle nucleation, particle size and particle size distribution in the batch emulsion polymerisation of n-butyl acrylate (BA) is explored. In the case of EGDA (ethylene glycol diacrylate) crosslinker the particle number decreased with increasing crosslink density, whereas the opposite trend was observed in the case of m-diisopropenylbenzene (m-DIPB) in the presence and absence of the surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). The observed behaviour is mainly attributed to the variation in the aqueous phase kinetics caused by the water solubility of the comonomer, which influences the formation rate of precursor particles during the nucleation stage. Only for the less water soluble crosslinker, DIPB, could the increase of particle number be explained within the Smith–Ewart theory by assuming prolonged nucleation due to reduced swelling of growing particles with monomer as a result of the crosslinking reaction.Abbreviations EGDA ethylene glycol diacrylate - m-DIPB meta-diisopropenylbenzene - SDS sodium dodecyl sulfate - PBA poly(n-butyl acrylate) - AFFF asymmetric field flow fractionation - MALLS multiangle laser light scattering - CMC critical micelle concentration     

Comparison of catalytic performance of synthesized EU-1 zeolite with dealuminated EU-1 zeolite for <Emphasis Type="Italic">m</Emphasis>-xylene isomerization reaction

EU-1 zeolite was synthesized with high purity by a hydrothermal method and under optimum conditions: synthesis time 72 h, temperature 200°C, and aging time 12 h. Then, the synthesized EU-1 zeolite was modified by dealumination with nitric acid and the changes of the properties such as surface area, pore volume, and Si/Al ratio were investigated. The catalytic performance of these two catalysts was studied and compared with a commercial mordenite catalyst for meta-xylene isomerization reaction in a fixed bed reactor. The results showed that the modification of catalyst with acid increases Si/Al ratio from 25 to 50 due to the removal of a number of aluminium atoms from the framework of zeolite. Also the catalyst surface area increased from 300.237 m² g^?1 for EU-1 to 333.639 m² g^?1 for modified EU-1. According to results, the modified Eu-1 had higher para/ortho ratio, meta-xylene conversion, and para-xylene yield than EU-1 and commercial mordenite in the meta-xylene isomerization reaction.     

Ortho-selectivity in SNAr substitutions of 2,4-dihaloaromatic compounds. Reactions with anionic nucleophiles

The nucleophilic addition of organic anions to aromatic compounds with halogens positioned both ortho and para to activating groups was studied in a variety of solvents. Substrates showed strong preferences for ortho substitution in most cases. Evidence is presented for activating group-dependent coordination, which contributes to very high ortho-selectivity in nonpolar solvents. This also drives the overall reaction rate in these solvents, and is of close to the same magnitude of rate increase derived from polar solvents. para-Products are maximized by using crown ethers in protic solvents. Solvent effects overall are very different from corresponding reactions with amine nucleophiles due primarily to the different charges present in the transition states, and to solvation of the nucleophile.     

Transalkylation of toluene with diisopropylbenzene over rey zeolite

Production of cymenes and cumene through transalkylation of toluene with diisopropylbenzene has been studied over REY zeolite. Variation of different reaction parameters and their effects on the conversion of DIPB and selectivity to cymenes and cumene are described. Concentration of cymenes are more than cumene due to successive and simultaneous reactions.     

Zeolite Catalyzed Alkylation of Biphenyl. Where Does Shape-Selective Catalysis Occur?

Liquid-phase alkylation of biphenyl (BP) was studied over large-pore zeolites. Selective formation of the least bulky products, 4,4-diisopropylbiphenyl (4,4-DIPB) occurred only in the isopropylation of BP over one- or two-dimensional zeolites, H-mordenite (HM), ZSM-12, SSZ-24, SAPO-5, SSZ-31, and CIT-5. These shape-selective catalyses are ascribed to steric restriction of transition state and to easiness of the substrates to enter into the pores. HM gave the highest selectivity among them. The dealumination of HM enhanced catalytic activity and the selectivity for 4,4-DIPB because of the decrease of coke deposition. Non-regioselective catalysis occurs on external acid sites over HM with the low SiO₂/Al₂O₃ ratio because severe coke deposition deactivates the acid sites inside the pores by blocking pore openings. The selectivity of DIPB isomers was changed with propylene pressure and/or with reaction temperature. Selective formation of 4,4-DIPB was observed at moderate temperatures such as 250°C, whereas the decrease of the selectivity of 4,4-DIPB occurred at higher temperatures as 300°C. 4,4-DIPB yielded selectively under high propylene pressure (<0.3 MPa) at 250°C, while the selectivity of 4,4-DIPB decreased under low propylene pressure as 0.2 MPa. However, 4,4-DIPB was almost exclusive isomer in the encapsulated DIPB isomers inside the pores under every temperature and pressure. The decrease of the selectivity of 4,4-DIPB is due to the isomerization of 4,4-DIPB on the external acid sites. The deactivation of external acid sites of HM was examined by the modification with cerium and other rare earth metal oxide on HM. Selectivities of 4,4-DIPB were improved over modified HM even at high temperatures because of the suppression of non-regioselective alkylation and isomerization at the external acid sites. The ethylation of BP to ethylbiphenyls (EBPs) and diethylbiphenyls (DEBPs) was non-regioselective. The ethylation of BP to EBPs was controlled kinetically. However, there was difference in reactivities of EBPs and DEBPs for their further ethylation. 4-EBP was ethylated preferentially among the isomers, although the formation of 4,4-DEBP was less selective. 4-EBP and 4,4-DEBP have the highest reactivities among EBPs and DEBPs for the ethylation to polyethylbiphenyls (PEBPs). These results show that the environments of HM pores are too loose for shape-selective formation of the least bulky isomers, 4-EBP and 4,4-DEBP, in the ethylation of BP, and that HM pores have enough space for the further ethylation of 4,4-DEBP.     

Aerobic oxidation of cumene to cumene hydroperoxide catalyzed by metalloporphyrins

A protocol for the aerobic oxidation of cumene to cumene hydroperoxide (CHP) catalyzed by metalloporphyrins is reported herein. Typically, the reaction was performed in an intermittent mode under an atmospheric pressure of air and below 130°C. Several important reaction parameters, such as the structure and concentration of metalloporphyrin, the air flow rate, and the temperature, were carefully studied. Analysis of the data obtained showed that the reaction was remarkably improved by the addition of metalloporphyrins, in terms of both the yield and formation rate of CHP while high selectivity was maintained. It was discovered that 4 or 5 h was the optimal reaction time when the reaction was catalyzed by monomanganese-porphyrin ((p-Cl)TPPMnCl) (7.20 × 10^?5 mol/l) at 120°C with the air flow rate being 600 ml/min. From the results, we also found that higher concentration of (p-Cl)TPPMnCl, longer reaction time and higher reaction temperature were all detrimental to the production of CHP from cumene. Studies of the reaction kinetics revealed that the activation energy of the reaction (E) is around 38.9 × 10⁴ kJ mol^?1. The low apparent activation energy of the reaction could explain why the rate of cumene oxidation to CHP in the presence of metalloporphyrins was much faster than that of the non-catalyzed oxidation.     

Regioselectivity nitration of aromatics with N2O5 in PEG-based dicationic ionic liquid

Regioselective mononitration of simple aromatic compounds has been investigated with N₂O₅ as nitrating agent and a new PEG200-based dicationic acidic ionic liquid (PEG₂₀₀-DAIL) as catalyst. The results of experiments show that this nitration system can significantly improve the para-selectivity of alkyl-benzenes and the ortho-selectivity of halogenated-benzenes. The PEG₂₀₀-DAIL exhibits recyclable temperature-dependant phase behavior in CCl₄ solvent, and it can be recycled without apparent loss of catalytic activity, and only 5% loss of weight is observed after six times recycling.     

Ruthenium(II)-catalyzed para-selective CH difluoroalkylation of aromatic aldehydes and ketones using transient directing groups

A Ru(II)-catalyzed para-difluoroalkylation of aromatic aldehydes and ketones with a transient directing group has been developed. It utilizes less expensive ruthenium catalysts and allows facile access to challenging difluoroalkylated aldehydes. The mechanism studies suggest that the distinct coordination mode of ruthenium complex with imine moieties is responsible for para-selectivity.     

Decomposition of meta- and para-phenylphenol during ozonation process

The decomposition of meta-phenylphenol (m-PP) and para-phenylphenol (p-PP) in a heterogeneous gas-liquid system using ozone was investigated. The influence of different reaction parameters such as ozone and PP isomers concentration as well as pH and temperature of the reaction mixture on the PP decay rate was determined. The second-order rate constants for the direct reaction of molecular ozone, determined in a homogeneous system, were (5.85 ± 0.35) × 10² M^?1 s^?1 and (8.90 ± 0.33) × 10² M^?1 s^?1 for m-PP and p-PP, respectively. The rate constants for the reaction of m-PP and p-PP with ozone increased with increasing pH. The reaction rate constants with ozone were found to be (1.75 ± 0.02) × 10⁹ M^?1 s^?1 and (1.86 ± 0.02) × 10⁹ M^?1 s^?1 for m-PP and p-PP anions, respectively.     

Increase in Selectivity of Toluene Disproportionation and in <Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-Xylene Yield by Optimization of Zeolite Microporous Structure

The possibility of increasing the yield of target products and para-selectivity of toluene disproportionation on modified zeolites by optimization of their microporous structure was studied.     

Double amination of 2-fluoroallylic acetates by palladium catalysts

We accomplished the palladium-catalyzed double substitution of 2-haloallylic acetates with nitrogen nucleophiles. During the Pd₂(dba)₃/DPPE-catalyzed reaction of 2-fluoroallylic acetates with N-substituted-p-toluenesulfonamide, two equivalents of nitrogen nucleophiles were introduced to the allyl unit with a Z-selectivity through the carbon–fluorine bond cleavage. We further demonstrated the reaction of 2-chloroallylic acetates, and succeeded in obtaining the same doubly-substituted products in good yields with a high Z-selectivity.     

Pd(ii)-catalyzed meta-C–H bromination and chlorination of aniline and benzoic acid derivatives

The classic electrophilic bromination leads to ortho- and para-bromination of anilines due to their electron-rich properties. Herein we report the development of an unprecedented Pd-catalyzed meta-C–H bromination of aniline derivatives using commercially available N-bromophthalimide (NBP), which overcomes the competing ortho/para-selectivity of electrophilic bromination of anilines. The addition of acid additives is crucial for the success of this reaction. A broad range of substrates with various substitution patterns can be tolerated in this reaction. Moreover, benzoic acid derivatives bearing complex substitution patterns are also viable with this mild bromination reaction, and meta-C–H chlorination is also feasible under similar reaction conditions. The ease of the directing group removal and subsequent diverse transformations of the brominated products demonstrate the application potential of this method and promise new opportunities for drug discovery.

An unprecedented Pd-catalyzed meta-C–H bromination and chlorination of highly substituted aniline and benzoic acid derivatives using N-bromophthalimide is reported.     

Electrochemical activity of phenolic calixarenes

A preliminary evaluation of the electrochemical behaviour of phenolic calix[n]arenes (n=4,6) possessing either H- or tert-butyl functionality at the para-phenol position has been undertaken by cyclic voltammetry. Electrochemical activity of these calixarenes is an inherent property, due to oxidation of the phenolic moiety in both types of calixarene. Oxidation of the p-H-substituted calixarenes leads to an electrode passivation process whereas oxidation of the p-t-butyl-substituted calixarenes does not. The former is attributed to electropolymerisation via intermolecular reaction of calixarene phenoxy radical species at the para-position to produce a non-conducting deposit on the electrode surface. This process is not possible with the p-t-butyl-substituted calixarenes.     

Selective esterolysis of nitrophenyl acetates in crystalline α-cyclodextrin complexes

The esterolysis ofm-nitrophenyl acetate (mNPA) andp-nitrophenyl acetate (pNPA), complexed with -cyclodextrin, was investigated in the solid state. At 117 and 140°C, the initial half-times ofmNPA esterolysis were 30 and 24 h, respectively, whereasp NPA esterolysis was undetectably slow. At 117°C, themNPA reaction proceeded to completion, and cyclodextrin acetate andm-nitrophenol products were identified. At 140°C,the initial rate was followed by a slow phase with a half-time of 130 h, evidently due to a structural change in the complex. Themeta/para selectivity of the solid-state reaction is considerably enhanced over the selectivity reported in aqueous solution.     

Polymethylations of bis(cyanomethyl)benzenes

o-, m- and p-bis(cyanomethyl)benzene were reacted with various quantities of methyllithium and methyliodide. Di and tetra methylations can be easily obtained in the cases of the meta and para isomers. Di and tri methylations were obtained in the reactions of the ortho isomer. The product from tri methylation of the ortho isomer cyclizes under the reaction conditions to a 3-indanone derivative.