Alumina pillared montmorillonite: characterization and catalysis of toluene benzylation and aniline ethylation Original Research Article

Na montmorillonite (Wyoming, Source Clays, SWy-2) is modified by Ce exchange and by alumina pillaring. The interlamellar distance d(0 0 1) of the pillared samples is measured by XRD. Surface area, total pore volume, external surface area (Aext) and micropore volume (Vmi) of the samples are calculated from N2 adsorption–desorption isotherms. Acidity of the samples is measured from the step wise temperature-programmed desorption (STPD) of ammonia. Samples are evaluated for aniline ethylation and toluene benzylation reactions. Almost equal BET and external surface area (Aext) in Ce exchanged montmorillonite (Ce-Mont) suggest mesoporosity in the sample. Alumina pillared montmorillonite (AlPC(2)) and alumina pillared Ce exchanged montmorillonite (AlPC(Ce,2)) have almost the same micropore width and volume, suggesting the presence of micropores of similar size and number. The higher external surface area (Aext) of AlPC (Ce,2) indicates comparatively more mesoporosity in the sample than in AlPC(2). The pillared samples are found to be thermally stable up to 873 K. Pillaring increased strong acidity, indicated by desorption of ammonia in the temperature region 573–723 K. Ce-Mont and AlPC(Ce,2) gave 100% conversion of benzyl alcohol. Over the same set of catalysts, aniline conversion is observed to be 55% and 81%, respectively. Low aniline and benzyl alcohol conversions (55% and 51%) are observed over AlPC(2), probably due to restricted diffusion of the reactants and products through the micropores.