Catalytic benzene mono-alkylation over three catalysts: improving activity and selectivity with M-Y catalyst

Modified Y type catalyst (M-Y) shows great potential for the preparation of toluene attribute to catalyst topology and synergistic effect of Lewis acid and Brönsted acid in the alkylation reaction. However, it still remains a big challenge to build a reaction mechanism. Thereby, based on the study of HZSM-5, H-beta and M-Y catalysts structure and physical properties, a plausible reaction mechanism was proposed. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, N₂ adsorption/desorption, Fourier transform infrared absorption spectra and Pyridine adsorption infrared. The activity of catalysts was tested in benzene alkylation with methanol and was found to be in the following increasing order: Na-Y (no effect)?<?H-Y?<<?HZSM-5?<?H-beta?<?M-Y.