Benzene Alkylation with Propane over Mo Modified HZSM-5

Benzene alkylation with propane has been studied over HZSM-5 loading 3.1–15.4 wt% Mo in continuous-flow microreactor under 350 °C and atmospheric pressure with the highest activity obtained at 6.7 wt% Mo loading. C_7–9 aromatics were obtained as main products while the total amount of benzene rings kept unchanged. i-Propylbenzene and n-propylbenzene are formed primarily, while toluene, ethylbenzene, and ethyl-toluene are formed secondly from the propylbenzenes. Catalytic performance of 6.7 wt% Mo/HZSM-5(38) partially poisoned by NH₃ shows that the strong acid sites play a crucial role in the alkylation. Low SiO₂/Al₂O₃ ratio of HZSM-5 in the Mo modified catalysts gives high propane conversion. Two hydrothermal treatment methods were applied to the 6.7 wt% Mo/HZSM-5(38) catalyst, caused decrease of propane conversion but result in different product distribution. A possible reaction mechanism concerning bifunctional active centers resulted from combination of loaded Mo species and strong acid centers on HZSM-5 is proposed.