Beta zeolite supported on a β-SiC foam monolith: A diffusionless catalyst for fixed-bed Friedel–Crafts reactions

Binderless beta zeolite has been anchored on a silicon carbide foam with a monolithic shape. The catalytic activity of the resulting composite was evaluated for a Friedel–Crafts reaction carried out in a fixed-bed configuration: the benzoylation of anisole to p-methoxybenzophenone. The results obtained were compared with those of a commercial beta zeolite. Significantly higher product yields along with a stable activity were obtained with the BEA/SiC composite. It has been suggested that the opened structure of the β-SiC foam and the absence of any binder allow a fast desorption of the p-ketone which is the main product of the reaction but also the major source of deactivation due to strong adsorption and/or coke formation inside the microporosity of the zeolite.

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