METHOD FOR PRODUCING 4,4'-DIISOPROPYLBIPHENYL

摘要

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for producing 4,4'-diisopropylbiphenyl in a continuous flow process, by subjecting biphenyl to highly selective isopropylation. SOLUTION: This method comprises flowing the biphenyl contained in decalin with propene together with a continuous flow of nitrogen through a solid catalyst layer contained in a flow reactor having a moderate temperature (220°C) and pressure (10-30 atm). An acidic zeolite catalyst having a mol ratio of SiO2/Al2O3of about 20:1 to about 500:1 is used in the catalyst layer. When 35% or more of active sites in the catalyst have an ammonia desorption activation energy of about 145 to about 170 kJ/mol, a catalytic performance thereof is optimumly achieved. The catalytic performance is additionally improved by subjecting the acidic zeolite catalyst to pretreatment with a volatile base reagent prior to the alkylation reaction. COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI