K. Shanmugapriya, M. Palanichamy, B. Arabindoo
Jun 10, 2004
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0
Influential Citations
38
Citations
Journal
Journal of Catalysis
Abstract
Abstract Mesoporous Al-MCM-41 (Si/Al = 55 and 104) and Al,Zn-MCM-41 (Si/(Al+Zn)=52) molecular sieves were synthesized hydrothermally. The materials were characterized by XRD, TGA, TPD (pyridine), ICP-AES, nitrogen sorption, and FT-IR techniques. The catalytic performance of these materials was examined in the vapor phase alkylation of m -cresol with isopropyl acetate. The products obtained were thymol, isothymol, 2-isopropyl-5-methylphenyl acetate (2-I-5-MPA), and isopropyl-3-methylphenyl ether (I-3-MPE). The time-on-stream study was carried out over Al-MCM-41(55) at 300 °C and WHSV 1.52 h −1 wherein optimum conversion of m -cresol and selectivity to thymol were obtained. The dependence of activity and selectivity on the acid sites and hydrophobic and hydrophilic properties of the catalysts is discussed.