Alkylation of benzene and other aromatics by benzyl chloride over iron-containing aluminophosphate molecular sieves

Iron-containing aluminophosphate molecular sieves were synthesized in AEL and AFI structure types by static hydrothermal crystallization. These materials have been characterized by elemental analysis, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, N2 adsorption–desorption, temperature programmed desorption of ammonia (NH3-TPD), and 57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy. Alkylation of benzene and other aromatics by benzyl chloride has been investigated over these solids. Indeed, the iron containing microporous aluminophosphates showed both high activity and high selectivity for this reaction. The activity of these catalysts for the benzylation of different aromatic compounds is in the following order: benzene > toluene > p-xylene > anisole. More interesting is the observation that this catalyst can be reused in the benzylation of benzene for several times. Kinetics of the benzene benzylation over these catalysts has also been investigated.

Graphical abstractAlkylation of benzene and other aromatics by benzyl chloride to diphenylmethane over iron-containing aluminophosphate molecular sieves FAPO-5, and FAPO-11 has been investigated.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide