Acidity effect on the catalytic properties for phenol isopropylation

Isopropylation of phenol with 2-propanol has been carried out over Na-excha nged ZSM-5 zeolites to determine the effect of catalyst acidity on phenol c onversion and product selectivity. The acid type and strength of the cataly st such as Lewis, weak and strong Bronsted acid sites are measured by pyrid ine adsorbed XPS and the catalytic properties are interpreted in terms of t he acid properties. The active site and mechanism for the reaction are sugg ested based on evidence of study from the reactant adsorbed FT-IR.