The isopropylation of biphenyl over one-dimensional zeolites with corrugated channels

The isopropylation of biphenyl (BP) was examined over one-dimensional zeolites with corrugated channels: SSZ-55 (ATS), SSZ-42 (IFR), L (LTL), and SSZ-35 (STF) zeolites, and compared to catalytic properties of H-mordenite (MOR). The selectivities for 4,4'-diisopropylbiphenyl (4,4'-DIPB) over these zeolites were in the range of 10-40%: they are much lower than that of MOR in spite of similar sizes of pore-entrance. These differences are due to the channel structures: they have larger reaction spaces due to one-dimensional corrugated channels compared to MOR with straight channels. The corrugated channels, even for STF, are too large for the selective formation of 4,4'-DIPB. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.