APPLICATION OF H-ZSM-5 ZEOLITE FOR REGIOSELECTIVE MONONITRATION OF TOLUENE

The nitration of toluene with n-propyl nitrate has been carried out in the presence of H-ZSM-5 as the catalyst. Several H-ZSM-5 catalysts with different Si/Al ratios were investigated to determine the influence of varying Si/Al ratios on the catalytic activity. It was found that high Si/Al ratios enhanced the regioselectivity for the p-nitrotoluene over the ortho isomer under comparable conditions. The best o:m:p product distribution (5:0:95) was achieved using H-ZSM-5 with a Si/Al ratio of 1000. The isolable yield is 54%. In contrast to conventional nitration methods, the product distribution reported in this study is remarkable.