Alkylation of toluene with methanol: The effect of K exchange degree on the direction to ring or side-chain alkylation

A set of K-exchanged X zeolites with different exchange degree were prepared and investigated in the alkylation of toluene with methanol. The chemical composition, textural properties, crystalline phase and acid–base properties of catalysts were analyzed by ICP, N2 physisorption, XRD, NH3-TPD and XPS. Experimental results demonstrated that the direction to ring or side-chain alkylation depended on the K exchange degree (KED) greatly.

► A set of KX zeolites with K exchange degree from 5.71% to 87.15% were prepared via ion-exchanged technique.
► The direction to ring or side-chain alkylation of toluene with methnaol depended on the K exchange degree greatly.
► Relatively weak acidity could promote the side-chain alkylation when the basicity was sufficient for the reaction.