Catalysis Letters, Vol.85, No.3-4, 171-175, 2003
Preparation of isobutylcumenes by liquid-phase isopropylation of isobutylbenzene with 2-propanol using zeolite H-beta
The liquid-phase isopropylation of isobutylbenzene (IBB) with 2-propanol to 3-isobutylcumene (3-IBC) and 4-isobutylcumene (4-IBC) using zeolite H-beta as a catalyst is reported. The zeolite H-beta-catalyzed isopropylation of isobutylbenzene is found to be more selective for 4-isobutylcumene (52 wt%) than using the conventional catalyst, AlCl3 (19 wt%).