Transalkylation of polyalkylaromatic hydrocarbons

摘要

A process for transalkylating polyalkylbenzenes such as diethylbenzenes produced during the alkylation of an aromatic hydrocarbon with an olefin using a catalyst with improved transalkylation activity is disclosed. The process comprises supplying a feedstock containing benzene and recycled polyalkylbenzenes into a reaction zone with an alkylating agent in a molar ratio of benzene to alkylating agent of from about 2:1 to about 20:1 and into contact with an aluminosilicate alkylation catalyst having an average crystal size of less than about 0.50 mu m and wherein about 90% of the crystals have a particle size of less than 0.70 mu m. The catalyst is characterized by an Si/Al atomic ratio in the range from between 50 and 150 and a maximum pore size in the range from about 1000 to 1800 ANGSTROM . The catalyst has a sodium content of less than about 50 ppm and the reaction is carried out under conversion conditions including a temperature of from about 250 DEG C. to about 500 DEG C. and a pressure of from about 200 psi to about 500 psi.