DISPROPORTIONATION OF TOLUENE OVER A HY-BETA-AIF3-CU CATALYST .2. KINETICS

A catalyst containing 72 wt% HY zeolite, 18 wt% β-AlF3, and 10 wt% Cu was used in a kinetic study of the vapor-phase disproportionation of toluene into benzene and xylenes. The kinetic data were adequately described by three Hougen-Watson rate models of the general form:r = frac(ko exp (- E / R T) (PT - (PB {dot operator} PX / Ke)frac(1, 2)), 1 + KH exp (Δ HH / R T) PHn + Kc, o exp (Δ Hc / R T) PT PHm),where n is either 1/2 or 1 and m can take values of 0, 1/2, or 1. It was demonstrated that benzene had no effect on the rate whereas xylenes retarded it. © 1979 Academic Press, Inc. All rights reserved.