CATALYTIC HYDROCRACKING REACTION PATHWAYS, KINETICS, AND MECHANISMS OF N-ALKYLBENZENES

The hydrocracking reaction pathways and kinetics of alkyl aromatic str uctural elements present in typical petroleum feedstocks were probed t hrough experiments at 350 degrees C and 1000 psig of hydrogen pressure with a Shell NiW/USY zeolite catalyst. Experimental results for C4-C1 5 alkylbenzenes provided insight into their respective alkane-like and aromatic-like character, as well as the effect of side-chain length o n the kinetics and product selectivities. Initial product selectivitie s indicated that the expected prototypical ring dealkylation to benzen e was accompanied by other significant reactions. Reactions in the sid e chain produced various shorter-chain alkylbenzenes, including toluen e. Ring closure of the side chain was also significant, producing hydr oaromatic bicyclic compounds. The overall reaction rate was first orde r and generally increased with increasing alkyl side-chain length.