Synthesis, characterization and catalytic properties of Fe-containing HMCM-68 for the benzylation of toluene

• Fe-containing HMCM-68 zeolites are first synthesized.
• The catalysts exhibit high activity and selectivity for the benzylation of toluene.
• The activity of the catalysts is controlled mainly by their redox properties.
• The effect of zeolitic acidity for the reaction has been further discussed.

Fe-containing HMCM-68 was prepared by a direct hydrothermal method (Fe-HMCM-68) or by impregnation of HMCM-68 with different iron precursors (Fe2O3/HMCM-68, FeCl3/HMCM-68). Their structure and acid properties were characterized by XRD, N2 adsorption, UV–Vis and NH3-TPD. The benzylation of toluene by benzyl chloride showed that these Fe-containing HMCM-68 zeolites were highly active catalysts for this reaction and could be reused. The activity of the Fe-containing HMCM-68 is controlled mainly by their redox properties and the effect of zeolitic acidity has been further discussed.

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