Catalysis Letters, Vol.143, No.10, 1025-1029, 2013
Pathway to Ethylbenzene Formation in Side-Chain Alkylation of Toluene with Methanol Over Cesium Ion-Exchanged Zeolite X
To control the styrene to ethylbenzene ratio in the products of side-chain alkylation of toluene with methanol over Cs-X-based catalysts, pathway to ethylbenzene was examined. Styrene underwent transfer hydrogenation with methanol much faster than hydrogenation with hydrogen to ethylbenzene. Addition of Cs2O and ZrB2O5 to Cs-X enhanced and suppressed, respectively, the transfer hydrogenation.