The benefit of multipore zeolites: Catalytic behaviour of zeolites with intersecting channels of different sizes for alkylation reactions

The catalytic behaviour of two multipore zeolites containing channels of different sizes, SSZ-33 (10 windows×12MR) and ITQ-22 (8×10×12MR pores), for alkylation of benzene with ethanol and benzene with isopropanol or propylene, has been studied and compared to that of zeolites with intersecting channels of the same size, ZSM-5 (10×10MR channels) and Beta (12×12MR channels), which are industrially used for the above-mentioned process. For the alkylation of benzene with ethanol in gas phase, ITQ-22 behaves like the 10MR ZSM-5 with respect to ethylbenzene selectivity, while the behaviour of SSZ-33 is close to that of a 12MR zeolite such as Beta. For the alkylation of benzene with isopropanol or propylene in gas and liquid phase, Beta and ITQ-22 give similar selectivity values, which are much better than those obtained with ZSM-5. Meanwhile, SSZ-33 gives intermediate selectivity between that of the 10MR ZSM-5 and the 12MR Beta zeolite. ITQ-22, therefore, shows a unique behaviour as a multipurpose alkylation catalyst, with characteristics different from those of previously studied zeolites. The catalytic behaviour of ITQ-22 has been rationalized not only in terms of the topology of the channels but also taking into account the location of the protons. A computational study shows preferential Al location at the 10MR, near the intersection with the 12MR channels, and at the intersections between 10 and 12MR channels.