Transformations of aromatic hydrocarbons over zeolites

Aromatic hydrocarbons represent an important group of starting materials, intermediates, as well as final products produced in the chemical industry in the range from large processes in petrochemistry up to the synthesis of fine chemicals. This short overview covers the recent achievements in acid-catalyzed transformations of aromatic hydrocarbons with a special focus on alkylation-isomerization-disproportionation reactions in petrochemistry, and acylations or condensations used mainly in synthesis of chemical specialties. In the case of fine chemical synthesis, some zeolite applications in the preparation of important intermediates for pharmaceutical or fragrance products are presented. Advantages and disadvantages of the various types of zeolite are discussed in these reactions from the point of view of their (shape) selective properties, as well as the accessibility of acid sites.