Vapor phase alkylation of toluene with 2-propanol to cymenes with a novel mesoporous solid acid UDCaT-4

Friedel–Crafts alkylation of toluene with propylene, isopropyl alcohol, and isopropyl halides leads to cymenes and other dialkylated products, among which p-cymene (4-methyl-1-isopropyl benzene) is used in pharmaceutical industries and for the production of fungicides, pesticides, etc. The current work deals with the development of a novel catalyst named UDCaT-4 which is hexagonal mesoporous silica as an inert support for persulfated alumina and zirconia. Its superior activity and selectivity for p-cymene was tested in the vapor phase alkylation of toluene with isopropyl alcohol. An insight it provided by developing mathematical model for the complex chemical reaction. The catalyst is robust and recyclable and can be advantageously used in a number of other reactions.