Alkylation of toluene with propene over H-MCM-22 zeolite. Location of the main and secondary reactions

Alkylation of toluene with propene was carried out at 200 °C over a H-MCM-22 sample (Si/Al = 15) for which the distribution of protonic acid sites in the three pore systems (supercages, sinusoidal channels, and external hemicages) was estimated by various methods. Different reactions were shown to take place in each of the pore systems. The desired alkylation of toluene into cymenes (and diisopropyltoluenes) occurs only within the external hemicages and without any deactivation. C4–C6 alkene production through propene oligomerization cracking was demonstrated to occur essentially within the sinusoidal channels. Mainly nondesorbed products (coke) are formed within the supercages.