Synthesis of ethylbenzene by alkylation of benzene with diethyl oxalate over HZSM-5

Catalytic synthesis of ethylbenzene by alkylation of benzene with diethyl oxalate was carried out over HZSM-5 with Si/Al ratios from 50 to 250. The catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), ammonia temperature-programmed desorption (NH3-TPD) and pyridine IR techniques. As revealed by the results of NH3-TPD and pyridine IR spectra, a significant decrease in acidic strength and the number of acidic sites is observed with increasing Si/Al ratio from 50 to 250. The benzene conversion and ethylbenzene selectivity increases obviously with increasing Si/Al ratio from 50 to 200. With a further increase in Si/Al ratios, a slight decrease in the conversion of benzene and selectivity for ethylbenzene is detected, indicating that a proper acidic strength was required in this reaction. In addition, the effects of temperature and feed ratio on the catalytic activity and product distributions are also investigated in this study.