Conversion of methanol to hydrocarbons: the reactions of the heptamethylbenzenium cation over zeolite H-beta

Recent studies have pointed to the heptamethylbenzenium cation as a prominent intermediate in the methanol to hydrocarbons ( MTH) reaction. The reactions of the heptamethylbenzenium cation in a H-beta zeolite was studied at 300 degreesC by feeding its corresponding base (WHSV = 0.4 h(-1)). The reactant was converted completely into aliphatic products, polymethylbenzenes and coke under the employed conditions. The results testify that the proposed reaction intermediate yields the same product spectrum as methanol. The composition of the material retained in the catalyst micropores after 15 min of reaction was determined by dissolving the catalyst in 15% HF. Polymethylated benzenes ( predominantly pentamethylbenzene), dihydro-trimethylnaphthalenes, and hexamethylnaphthalene were the major components. The results also support the idea that the lowest naphthalene derivative is formed from the heptamethylbenzenium cation by a molecular rearrangement. Hence, the heptamethylbenzenium cation is inherently linked to both product formation and catalyst deactivation in the MTH reaction.