Liquid phase benzylation of benzene and toluene with benzyl alcohol over modified zeolites

Benzylation of benzene and toluene with benzyl alcohol has been investigated over a series of zeolites and metal modified zeolites. 5 wt% Ceβ, 5 wt% Feβ and 5 wt% Wβ were found to be good catalysts for the liquid phase benzylation of benzene and toluene. The catalysts were characterized using XRD, FTIR and NH3-TPD.