m-Cresol methylation: role of internal and external acid sites in the product distribution

MAURO ACEVEDO; MARDELLY KATERYNE MONTAÑEZ-VALENCIA; NORA OKULIK; MARÍA EUGENIA SAD; CRISTINA LILIANA PADRÓ

CATALYSIS COMMUNICATIONS

ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2017 vol. 92 p. 10 - 14

1566-7367

The effect ofthe porous structure and the role of internal and external acid sites inproduct distribution in gas-phase alkylation of m-cresol with methanol were studiedon zeolites HBEA, HZSM5 and HMCM22. Catalysts were characterized by N2 physisorptionand FTIR of adsorbed pyridine. Trimethylatedproduct formation was inhibited in narrower pore size zeolites (HMCM22 andHZSM5) and a preferential selectivity to smallest dimethylphenol isomer (2,5-dimethylphenol)was observed. The selectivity to 2,5-dimethylphenol on HMCM22 reached a valueof 82% after suppressing the acid sites of the external cavities and pore mouthusing 2,4-dimethylquinoline, which is a basic molecule too bulky to diffusethrough the narrow pores of these zeolites.