Conversion of anisole in the presence of methanol over AlPO4?Al2O3 catalysts modified with fluoride and sulfate anions

The gas-phase microcatalytic conversion of anisole in the presence of methanol (methanol/anisole molar ratio=4) was studied at temperatures ranging from 523 to 673 K over anion treated (1–3 wt.% F or SO ₄ ^2– ) AlPO₄–Al₂O₃ (25 wt.% Al₂O₃) catalysts. Anisole conversion gave a mixture of dealkylated and C-alkylated products (C-alkylation preferentially in ortho-position) where dealkylation always predominates. The influences of the reaction temperature and both anion type and anion loading upon the conversion of anisole and the selectivities of the products were investigated. The higher increase in surface acidity by fluoride loading increases both the C-alkylation selectivity (mainly to 2-methylanisole) and dealkylation to phenol; so that a lower anisole conversion (smaller pseudokinetic constant) and higher methylanisoles selectivity is found for APAI-P-F catalysts related to unmodified one.