Friedel–Crafts benzylation of benzene and other aromatics using 3D mesoporous gallosilicate with cage type porous structure

Here we demonstrate the synthesis of 3D mesoporous gallosilicate nanocage (GaSBA-1) with different Ga contents by soft-templating approach in a highly acidic medium. These materials were characterized by using X-ray diffraction and nitrogen adsorption. The catalytic activity of these materials was investigated in the benzylation of benzene and other aromatics such as toluene, p-xylene, mesitylene and anisole with benzyl chloride (BC) as an alkylating agent. The influence the reaction parameters such as reaction temperature, reactant feed ratio, and reaction time, and the amount of Ga content in the catalyst over the conversion of BC and the selectivity of the product in the benzylation of benzene was thoroughly studied. The catalytic activity of GaSBA-1 was found to be much superior to AlSBA-15 and FeHMS catalysts. The kinetics of the reaction over these catalysts was also studied and the results have been discussed in accordance with the physicochemical properties of the materials.