REACTIONS OF BENZYL ALCOHOL AND DIBENZYL ETHER OVER ZEOLITES

The reaction of benzyl alcohol and dibenzyl ether on several zeolites was studied in the temperature range 300-500-degrees-C. The major prod ucts were benzaldehyde and toluene due to disproportionation, anthrace ne due to intermolecular alkylation followed by cyclodehydration, benz yltoluenes due to alkylation followed by hydrogenolysis, and stilbene. The alkylation course was strongly influenced by shape selectivity wi th the large pore zeolites mainly yielding anthracene and the medium p ore zeolites benzyltoluene. The formation of stilbene was a new observ ation which has a bearing on the mechanism of the methanol-to-hydrocar bon reactions.