BaO/NaX zeolite as a basic catalyst for oxidative methylation of toluene with methane Original Research Article

The oxidative methylation of toluene with methane was studied over a series of BaO/NaX zeolite catalysts. The catalytic properties were estimated with respect to the conversion of toluene, selectivity and yield of C8 hydrocarbons (ethylbenzene+styrene). The basicity of the catalysts was investigated by temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) of CO2. It was shown that the increase in the barium content leads to an increase in the amount of basic sites and a corresponding increase in activity. The state of the zeolite crystal structure and that of barium before and after use of the catalysts was registered by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. A preserved crystal structure, existence of differently dispersed BaO and formation of BaCO3 were detected in the catalysts.