CATALYTIC ALKYLATION OF TOLUENE WITH AN AQUEOUS-SOLUTION OF ETHANOL ON MODIFIED ZEOLITE CATALYSTS

An investigation has been made of the influence of different modificat ion methods (ion exchange, heat and steam treatment and the applicatio n of an oxide coating) on the para-selectivity of pentasils in the alk ylation of toluene with ethanol, with the use of its weak aqueous solu tions modelling the product of fermentation processing of cellulose-co ntaining feedstock. It has been shown that, under conditions of great dilution of the reaction mixture with water, pentasil modified with po lymethylsiloxane makes it possible to produce p-ethyltoluene with a se lectivity of at least 98% and with a total toluene conversion of 20%.