The isopropylation of biphenyl over one-dimensional zeolites with corrugated channels

The isopropylation of biphenyl (BP) was examined over one-dimensional zeolites with corrugated channels: SSZ-55 (ATS), SSZ-42 (IFR), L (LTL), and SSZ-35 (STF) zeolites, and compared to catalytic properties of H-mordenite (MOR). The selectivities for 4,4′-diisopropylbiphenyl (4,4′-DIPB) over these zeolites were in the range of 10–40%: they are much lower than that of MOR in spite of similar sizes of pore-entrance. These differences are due to the channel structures: they have larger reaction spaces due to one-dimensional corrugated channels compared to MOR with straight channels. The corrugated channels, even for STF, are too large for the selective formation of 4,4′-DIPB.

Graphical abstractThe isopropylation of biphenyl was examined over one-dimensional zeolites with corrugated channels: SSZ-55, SSZ-42, L, and SSZ-35 zeolites. The selectivities for 4,4′-diisopropylbiphenyl (4,4′-DIPB) over these zeolites were 10–40%: they are much lower than that of MOR in spite of similar size of pore-entrance. They have larger reaction spaces than MOR due to their corrugated channels. They are too large for the selective formation of 4,4′-DIPB.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide