Shape selective toluene methylation over chromia pillared montmorillonites

Methylation of toluene is done on pillared clays. Effect of mixed pillaring on the catalytic activity and selectivity is studied. Pillaring improves the thermal stability and porosity, which makes clays suitable for high temperature, shape selective xylene preparation without higher substitution, and low deactivation. Pillared systems are found to be regenerable up to four cycles. The enhanced structural and textural stability is proved from various characterization techniques such as XRD, BET-surface area, 27Al NMR, and TPD of NH3.