Alkylation of benzene to propyl and isopropyl benzenes over ZSM5 zeolites

The alkylation of benzene with isopropanol over pure and modified (with phosphorous and boron) HZSM5 zeolites is reported. Isopropylbenzene is the primary reaction product. In the presence of strong acid sites, it isomerises to n-propylbenzenes. The isomerisation reaction is also facilitated by the shape-selective nature of the ZSM5 zeolite. Poisoning of the strong acid sites with bases such as pyridine enhances the selectivity to isopropyl benzene