Benzylation of benzene by benzyl chloride over Fe-modified ZSM-5 and H-β zeolites and Fe2O3 or FeCl3 deposited on micro-, meso- and macro-porous supports

A number of Fe-containing solid catalysts, such as Fe-modified ZSM-5 type zeolites (Fe2O3[H-ZSM-5, SO42-/Fe2O3/H-ZSM-5, H-FeMFI and H-FeAIMFI), Fe-modified H-beta zeolites (Fe2O3/H-beta and SO2-/Fe2O3/H-beta), Fe2O3 supported on meso-porous Si-MCM-41, silica gel or macro-porous silica-alumina commercial catalyst carrier (SA-5205), and FeCl3 impregnated on 13X zeolite, Si-MCM-41, silica gel or commercial clays-montmorillonite K10 (Mont K10) or kaolin, have been compared for their performance in the benzylation of benzene by benzyl chloride (80 degreesC). Among these catalysts, the Fe2O3[H-beta (or H-ZSM-5) and FeCl3/Mont K10 (or Si-MCM-41) are found to be highly promising ones for the benzylation, even in the presence of moisture. These catalysts can also be reused in the reaction but with reduced activity. No direct relationship is observed between the acidity (measured in terms of ammonia chemisorbed at 50 or 200 degreesC and the benzylation activity of the catalysts. The benzylation activity is controlled mainly by the redox properties of the catalyst. The selectivity for diphenyl methane in the benzylation was found to vary from catalyst to catalyst. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.