Shape Selective Pillared Clay Catalysts for P-Xylene Production

Received 07 June 2015 Accepted 09 September 2015 Available online 30 September 2015 Catalytic alkylation of toluene with methanol was carried out over ZrCrand Copillared clay catalysts in a catalytic flow system operated under atmospheric pressure at a temperature range of 250450 o C. The pillared clay catalysts were prepared via sonication technique. Results indicated that the pillaring of montmorilonitic clay material with polyoxy-metalic cations (ZrCrand Co-) improves the texture properties and thermal stability of the obtained catalysts. The Co-PILC catalyst is the most active and selective catalyst towards p-xylene formation, i.e. Co-PILC catalyst is a shape selective for p-xylene formation.