Synthesis of cymene in flow reactor over rare earth metal modified zeolite catalyst

In the present investigation transalkylation of cumene with toluene was carried over a series of zeolite containing rare earth metals such as lanthanum (La), cerium (Ce), and praseodymium (Pr). The modified zeolites were further characterized by EDS, XRD, BET and TPD. The surface area and acidities of the modified zeolite catalysts were reported. The transalkylation reactions were carried out varying different parameters such as metal loading (2–10 wt%), temperature (448–573 K), reactant ratio (1–15), and space-time (3.2–9.29 kg h/kmol). Praseodymium-modified X zeolite (PrX) showed the highest cumene conversion (60 wt%) and cymene selectivity (65.7 wt%) compared to the other zeolites. The maximum cumene conversion and cymene selectivity were obtained at 523 K, the toluene-to-cumene ratio of 9:1, and space-time of 9.29 kg h/kmol. Mass transfer resistances were studied in the said reaction conditions.