Alkylation of benzene with 1-butene in the presence of AlCl3

The catalytic alkylation of benzene with I-butene at 20-50xC and varied amounts of the AlCl3 catalyst was studied with the aim of optimization of the method of synthesis of sec-butylbenzene. By means of NMR and IR spectroscopy it was shown that together with the main product, sec-butylbenzene the reaction gives 1,3- and 1,4-di-sec-butylbenzenes. The alkylation conditions that allow preparation of sec-butylbenzene and its subsequent isomerization to isobutylbenzene were found.