Efficient catalysts for benzene alkylation with olefins

• Methyl- and ethylsilanes catalyze the benzene alkylation by ethylene and propylene.
• The silanes are on a par with AlCl3 by selectivity and catalytic activity.
• Catalytic activity is linearly dependent from the charges and acceptor capacities.

The experimental data of benzene alkylation with ethylene and propylene in the presence of methyl and ethylchlorosilanes are presented in this article. The catalytic activity series are determined for the methyl and ethylchlorosilanes. These compounds are found to demonstrate high catalytic activity and selectivity in the alkylation reactions and can be used in place of aluminum chloride. The computational study reveals the linear dependence between the charges, acceptor capacities and activities of the catalysts in the alkylation reactions.

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