Shape selective alkylation of benzene with long chain alkenes over zeolites

The alkylation of benzene with 1-hexene, 1-octene, 1-dodecene and a mixture of C10-C13 olefins (alkylation feed used in LAB manufacture) was carried out over a number of zeolites. While zeolite Y does not exhibit shape-selectivity effects, the other wide pore zeolites, β, mordenite and ZSM-12, exhibit shape-selectivities favouring the formation of the less bulky 2- Φisomers during the alkylation. The studies suggest that both product and transition state type shape-selectivities influence product distribution. An examination of the composition of the phenyl isomers obtained over zeolites can lead to conclusions regarding their pore characteristics