Tert-Butylation of Toluene with Tert-butanol Over Transition Metal Oxide-Modified Hbea Zeolite

A series of transition metal oxide-modified HBEA (M x0 y/HBEA) zeolite catalysts were prepared by the wetness impregnation method, and investigated for the alkylation of toluene with tert-butanol to synthesise 4- tert-butyltoluene (4-TBT). Their physico-chemical properties were characterised by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller and NH3 temperature-programmed desorption methods. M x0 y/HBEA zeolite showed higher para-selectivity than parent HBEA due to its improved structural and acidic properties. Though the toluene conversion of M x0 y/HBEA catalyst decreased, the 4-TBT selectivity increased significantly at 190 °C after 4 h. The narrowed pores after loading the M x0 y prompted an increase in selectivity for 4-TBT by increasing the shape selectivity. In addition, the decrease in strong acid sites increased selectivity for 4-TBT by suppressing further isomerisation of the 4-TBT formed on acid sites. Among all the modified HBEA zeolites, Fe203/HBEA exhibited the best catalytic activity and para-selectivity. The factors affecting the reaction over Fe203/HBEA have also been investigated extensively.