Dramatic change of methylenedianiline activity and selectivity in different pore geometry of zeolites

• Activity and isomers selectivity of methylenedianiline on zeolites have been investigated.
• The topology structure of zeolite contributed to the activity and isomers selectivity.
• The mass transport limitation can be overcome by dealuminated USY catalysts.

The activity and isomers selectivity of the synthesis of methylenedianiline (MDA) from aminal on the various zeolites with different topology structure have been investigated. The poor activity in H-ZSM-5 and H-mordenite contributed to the narrow porous and scarcity of pore intersections or supercages in the MOR structure, respectively. H-beta zeolite shown high activity for the rearrangement reaction can take place in the pore intersections of zeolite BEA. For the dealuminated USY catalysts, the highest activity and selectivity to 4,4′-MDA is attributed to the rearrangement of aminal in the supercages and mesoporous, which the mass transport limitation can be overcome.

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