Aromatic alkylation with a catalyst containing a surface-modified zeolite beta

摘要

There is disclosed a new form of a zeolite beta catalyst which shows substantially greater stability and greater catalyst lifetime when used in the alkylation and transalkylation of aromatic compounds. The new, surface-modified zeolite beta is characterized by having surface aluminum 2p binding energies as measured by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, of a least 74.8 electron volts. This surface-modified zeolite beta is prepared by treating a templated zeolite beta with an acid at a pH between 0 and 2 and a temperature up to 125 DEG C for a time sufficient to modify the chemical environment of the surface aluminum atom without bringing about dealumination of the zeolite beta.