MFI ALUMINOSILICATE MOLECULAR SIEVES AND METHODS FOR USING SAME FOR XYLENE ISOMERIZATION

摘要

MFI aluminosilicate molecular sieve catalysts are prepared from tetra-funcational orthosilicates [e.g., Si(OR1)(OR2)(OR3)(OR4), wherein R1R2R3R4 is each independently a C1-10alkyl or aryl.] as the silicon source. Such catalysts are useful for hydrocarbon conversion reactions including isomerization of xylenes in C8 aromatics feed stocks to produce p-xylene. Advantageously, it has been found that the MFI aluminosilicate molecular sieve catalysts of the invention are more selective than conventional commercial MFI catalysts, resulting in reduced formation of transmethylation byproducts (C7 and C9 aromatics) while simultaneously providing a high degree of xylene isomerization.