DISPROPORTIONATION OF ETHYLBENZENE OVER DEEPLY DEALUMINATED Y-ZEOLITES

Zeolite Y with different framework and non-framework aluminum contents were obtained by a combination of steaming/acid leaching treatments. The samples were investigated using various physicochemical and spectr oscopic techniques. The hydrothermal dealumination produced an enrichm ent of aluminum at the external surface. Nevertheless, the acid leachi ng removed part of these aluminum species preferentially at the extern al surface. The treatments also led to the appearance of mesopores. Ca talytic activity data showed that the non-framework aluminum has not i nfluenced the disproportionation of ethylbenzene and that deeply dealu minated Y zeolites increase the formation of the para-isomer.