Catalytic Synthesis of Isopropyl Benzene over SO42−/ZrO2-MCM-411

Super acid catalyst SO42−/ZrO2 was introduced into pure silicone MCM-41 via the impregnation method and the catalyst samples obtained at different temperatures were characterized by means of XRD, IR, and Py-IR techniques. The selectively catalytic gas-phase flow reactions of benzene with propene over the catalyst samples were carried out in a made-to-measure high-pressure flow reactor equipped with a thermostat and a condenser. Effect of the preparative condition on the catalytic synthesis of isopropyl benzene over the catalyst samples was tested. The results show that SO42−/ZrO2-MCM-41 (SZM-41) can be used as a catalyst for the title reaction, in which there are a higher conversion (97%) for the propene and a higher selectivity (93%) for the isopropyl benzene.