Toluene methylation on AlPO₄-Al₂O₃ catalysts (5–15 wt.% Al₂O₃)

Abstract

The alkylation of toluene with methanol over AlPO₄-Al₂O₃ (5–15 wt.% Al₂O₃) catalysts produces a mixture of xylenes (XYL) although trimethylbenzenes (TMB) were also found. The TMB selectivity increased with temperature at the expense of XYL selectivity. Isomer distribution was approximately 48, 24 and 27 mol% foro-, m- andp-XYL, and 74, 26 and 0 mol% for 1,2,3-, 1,2,4- and 1,3,5-TMB, both quite different from the equilibrium isomer composition. The catalytic activity increased with alumina content, however, it decreased on increasing the calcination temperature in the 923–1273 K range. Good correlations between catalytic activity and the increase in acidic properties with Al₂O₃ loading (as determined by base chemisorption, in the gas phase,versus pyridine and 2,6-dimethylpyridine) have been obtained.