Alkylation of toluene with isopropyl alcohol over SAPO-5 catalyst

Isopropylation of toluene with isopropyl alcohol was studied over the large pore silicon alumino phosphate molecular sieves (SAPO-5) with varying Si content. Toluene conversion was found to increase with increase in the Si of the catalysts. The effect of temperature on yields of cymene was studied in the range of 453 to 553 K. The highest yield and selectivity for cymene was observed at 513 K. Good cymene selectivity was confirmed with the absence of n-propyl toluene in the product. The catalyst activity, in terms of p-cymene selectivity, remained almost stable during a nine hour time on stream run. Enhanced cymene selectivity and decreased p-cymene selectivity was observed with increase in the toluene to isopropyl alcohol feed mole ratio from 2 to 8. Power law model and L-H-H-W model fitted the experimental data well and are used to explain the kinetics of this reaction.