Preparation of 2,6-diisopropylnaphthalene with recycled process of isomers

2,6-Diisopropylnaphthalene (2,6-DIPN),as the precursor of important monomer 2,6-naphthalene dicarboxylic acid,was prepared by hydroisopropylation of refined naphthalene with propene over shape-selective catalyst.Naphthalene conversion of 92% and 2,6-DIPN selectivity of 64% were obtained.Static melt crystallization was applied to separate and purify 2,6-DIPN from its isomers,resulted in a product purity of ≥99%.The other isomers were converted into monoisopropylnaphthalene,which also reacted with propcne to form 2,6-DIPN.A recycled process including hydroisopropylation,separation and transalkylation was established,the yield of 2,6-DIPN based on naphthalene could be doubled by one cycle operation.