Indian Journal of Chemical Technology, Vol.13, No.4, 329-333, 2006
Methylation of toluene over MnAPO-11 and ZAPO-11
Methylation of toluene with methanol in the vapour phase has been studied over MnAPO-11 and ZAPO-11. The reactions were carried out in a fixed bed reactor in the temperature range of 250-400 degrees C. p-Xylene is produced in greater concentrations than the other products. The selectivity for p-xylene is a function of acidity, specific surface area of the catalyst, reaction temperature and toluene to methanol ratio. ZAPO-11 was found to be more active than MnAPO-11, Maximum conversion (25.8%) was observed at 400 degrees C over ZAPO-11. The selectivity to p-xylene was found to increase with time on stream possibly due to partial reduction in the pore size of the catalyst by coke deposition.