SHAPE-SELECTIVE ALKYLATION OF BENZENE WITH LONG-CHAIN ALKENES OVER ZEOLITES

The alkylation of benzene with 1-hexene, 1-octene, 1-dodecene and a mixture of C-10-C-13 Olefins (alkylation feed used in LAB manufacture) was carried out over a number of zeolites. While zeolite Y does not exhibit shape-selectivity effects, the other wide pore zeolites, beta, mordenite and ZSM-12, exhibit shape-selectivities favouring the formation of the less bulky 2-phi isomers during the alkylation. The studies suggest that both product and transition state type shape-selectivities influence product distribution. An examination of the composition of the phenyl isomers obtained over zeolites can lead to conclusions regarding their pore characteristics.