SELECTIVE CATALYTIC CONVERSION OF A C9 AROMATIC FEEDSTOCK CONTAINING SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNTS OF ETHYL SUBSTITUTED AROMATIC COMPONENTS TO A PRODUCT RICH IN TOLUENE AND/OR XYLENES

摘要

PURPOSE: A selective catalytic conversion of a C9 aromatic feedstock containing substantial amounts of ethyl substituted aromatic components to a product rich in toluene and/or xylenes is provided for the production of toluene and/or xylenes by transalkylation of benzene with a C9 aromatic feedstock containing substantial amounts of ring ethyl groups using a metal loaded mordenite catalyst which selectively de-ethylates the aromatic ring without causing loss of aromatic or ring methyl groups under transalkylation reaction conditions. CONSTITUTION: A selective catalytic conversion of a C9 aromatic feedstock containing substantial amounts of ethyl substituted aromatic components to a product rich in toluene and/or xylenes has an improved process for the conversion of a C9 mixed alkyl aromatic feed stream containing ethyl substituted aromatic to a product rich in toluenes and/or xylenes via catalytic transalkylation/disproportionation using a palladium loaded moderately, dealuminated mordenite catalyst in the presence of added hydrogen and benzene.