Catalyst composition comprising acid-base leached zeolites

摘要

A catalyst composition and a process for hydrodealkylating C9+ aromatic compounds such as, for example, trimethylbenzenes, to C6 to C8 aromatic hydrocarbons such as toluene and xylenes are disclosed. The composition comprises an alumina and a silica wherein the weight ratio of aluminum to silicon is in the range of from about 0.005:1 to about 0.25:1. The process comprises contacting, in the presence of the catalyst composition, a fluid which comprises a C9+ aromatic compound with a hydrogen-containing fluid under a condition sufficient to effect the conversion of a C9+ aromatic compound to a C6 to C8 aromatic hydrocarbon; and the C9+ aromatic compound contains at least 9 carbon atoms. Also disclosed is a process for producing the catalyst composition which comprises: (1) contacting a zeolite with an effective amount of a base under a condition sufficient to effect a reduction in silicon content of said zeolite to produce a base-leached zeolite; and (2) contacting said base-leached zeolite with an effective amount of an acid under a condition sufficient to effect a reduction in aluminum content of said base-leached zeolite.