SHAPE-SELECTIVE REACTIONS OF NAPHTHALENE OVER ZEOLITES

Naphthalene was alkylated with propylene to isopropylnaphthalene (IPN) and diisopropylnaphthalenes (DIPN) and isopropylnaphthalene was conve rted (disproportionation, isomerization) in the liquid phase over vari ous aluminosilicate catalysts, i.e. H-mordenite, HY zeolite and amorph ous aluminosilicate. The reactions were studied in relation to tempera ture over the range of 150-300 degrees C. The mono-and di-alkylation w ere less beta-selective over H-mordenite (HM) than over HY zeolite or over amorphous aluminosilicate. Nevertheless, in the alkylation produc t obtained over HM the 2,6-DIPN/2,7-DIPN ratio was as high as 1.6-1.8, indicating shape-selectivity. In the IPN conversion test the 2,6-DIPN /2,7-DIPN ratio was initially close to 1 but then rose to almost 1.5, indicating that TPN can be disproportionated to yield naphthalene and DIPN over the HM zeolite both on external surface and inside the pores . (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.