Aromatics from 1-tetradecene through conversion over zeolite catalysts

•1-Tetradecene was converted into aromatic hydrocarbons over zeolite catalysts.•A decrease in the SiO2:Al2O3 ratio of zeolite increased the aromatization selectivity.•Tetradecene cracking was determined to be the first step in aromatization reaction.•Significant amounts of alkyl aromatic hydrocarbons were produced.

A completely new reaction of conversion of 1-tetradecene to aromatic compounds over HZSM-5 type of zeolites was studied. A full factorial design of experiments (DOE) was used to determine significant reaction conditions (factors) and their interactions. Experiments were conducted in a fixed head bench top batch autoclave reactor. The liquid products were analyzed by GC-FID. Reaction temperature and olefin to catalyst ratio (OCR) were identified as individual factors significantly affecting aromatization. A decrease in the SiO2:Al2O3 ratio of zeolite increased the aromatics selectivity. Formation of C6 to C8 aromatic hydrocarbons in one step catalytic conversion process leads to the conclusion that cracking of tetradecene chain is an inevitable first step in the formation of aromatics.