CATALYTIC PROCESS FOR THE SELECTIVE ALKYLATION OF POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC COMPOUNDS

摘要

A catalytic process is described for the selective alkylation of a polycyclic aromatic compound comprising reacting the polycyclic aromatic compound with an alkylating agent in the presence of a catalyst to thereby yield the desired alkyl substituted polycyclic aromatic compound with improved selectivity and improved yield. The process is particularly suitable for the selective dialkylation of polycyclic aromatic compounds in the para-, respectively beta-positions. The catalyst is a protonic form of a mordenite having an atomic Si/Al ratio of at least 5:1, comprising additional metal species in a molar ratio metal (in the metal species)/aluminium of at least 0.10 and having a biphenyl sorption of at least 0.05 g biphenyl per g of catalyst.