Methylation of toluene to para-xylene

摘要

A process is provided for the production of paraxylene by the methylation of toluene in the presence of a zeolite bound zeolite catalyst. The catalyst comprises first zeolite crystals which are bound together by second zeolite crystals. When used to methylate toluene to para-xylene, the zeolite bound zeolite catalyst has a para-xylene selectivity greater than thermodynamic equilibrium. This selectivity can be enhanced by selectivating the catalyst.