Low-temperature catalytic alkylation of benzene by propane Original Research Article

Interaction of benzene with propane (C6H6:C3H8=1:9) was studied at 453–623 K in the presence of acidic HY-zeolite Pt, Re/Al2O3 bimetal alumina catalysts (APRC), and mixed (50% APRC+50%HY) catalyst (mixed catalyst, MC) systems with Pt and Re content 0.3 and 0.5%, respectively. Unlike inactive separate components, MC activates benzene dehydroalkylation (DHA) by propane even at 453 K to form isopropylbenzene (IPB) and hydrogen. Increased temperatures lead to the formation of additional products, such as propene (at 523 K) and other alkylbenzenes (at 573 K). Activation of benzene–propane mixture is characterized by an induction period prior to the formation of conversion products. MC treatment by ammonia at 423 K leads to increase of selectivity of IPB formation.