PRODUCTION OF STYRENE

摘要

PURPOSE:To improve the selectivity and yield of the objective compound in the production of styrene useful as a raw material of plastics by the dehydration of phenylethyl alcohol, by carrying out the reaction in the presence of a zeolite catalyst. CONSTITUTION:The objective compound of formula III is produced by dehydrating the phenylethyl alcohol of formula I or formula II in the presence of a zeolite catalyst preferably at 100-300 deg.C, especially at 150-250 deg.C under normal pressure. The selectivity and yield can be remarkably improved compared with conventional process using potassium hydroxide or titania as the catalyst. The objective compound can be produced in a yield comparable to or higher than that of the ethylbenzene dehydrogenation process, without necessitating high temperature required in the dehydrogenation process. Accordingly, the process is extremely advantageous from the viewpoint of energy cost.