Reactive distillation process for the production of xylenes

摘要

A reactive distillation process for the production of xylenes by contacting toluene with a methylating agent and in the presence of a toluene methylation catalyst. The reactive distillation process is preferably carried out in a reaction/distillation column under conditions which include a temperature no greater than about 320 DEG C. Enhanced amounts of paraxylene can be produced by the reactive distillation process.