Methylation of toluene to para-xylene catalyzed by crystalline silica

摘要

An improved catalytic process for making para-xylene from toluene and a methylating agent employing the described crystalline silica as catalyst, said catalyst optionally promoted by one or more compounds of arsenic, phosphorus, magnesium, boron, antimony and amorphous silica. Preferred promoters are boron compounds, antimony compounds, and amorphous silica.