SELECTIVE ETHYLATION OF ETHYLBENZENE IN THE PRESENCE OF OTHER AROMATICS

The alkylation of ethylbenzene in the presence of other aromatic compo unds has been studied over a pore size regulated MFI zeolite. The arom atic compounds chosen were of various kinetic diameter, hence they wer e expected to hinder the movement of reactant molecules both on the ex ternal surface and within zeolite channels. It was observed that some of the aromatic compounds got alkylated along with ethylbenzene. The e ffects of varying the concentration of aromatic compounds in the feed on ethylbenzene conversion and product distribution have been discusse d.