Benzylation of benzene with benzyl chloride on iron-containing mesoporous mordenite

Microporous mordenite with a low Si/Al ratio was synthesized by using silicic acid powder as silica source under hydrothermal condition. By treating the mordenite with acid and base, mesoporous mordenite (M-Mor) was obtained, which was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), N2 sorption experiments, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Based on the M-Mor material, iron-containing mesoporous mordenite (Fe-M-Mor) was prepared by ion-exchanged method. The benzylation of benzene by benzyl chloride showed that Fe-M-Mor was a highly active catalyst in this reaction and could be reused. These results indicate that Fe-M-Mor has potential applications in Friedel–Crafts alkylations, especially of large molecules.

► Iron-containing mesoporous mordenite (Fe-M-Mor) was prepared for the first time.
► Fe-M-Mor showed excellent catalytic performance in the benzylation of benzene and benzyl chloride and could be reused.
► Fe-M-Mor has potential application in Friedel-Crafts alkylations, especially of large molecules.