Efeito do cromo nas propriedades catalíticas da MCM-41 The effect of chromium on the catalytic properties of MCM-41

• Published in: Química nova Vol. 28; no. 1; pp. 37 - 41
• Main Authors: Alcineia Conceição Oliveira, Maria do Carmo Rangel, José Luís Garcia Fierro, Patrício Reyes, Marcelo Oportus
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Sociedade Brasileira de Química 01-02-2005
• Subjects: ethylbenzene; mesoporous materials; transalkylation
• ISSN: 0100-4042; 1678-7064
• DOI: 10.1590/S0100-40422005000100007

The effect of chromium on the catalytic properties of MCM-41 was evaluated in order to develop new catalysts for the trimethylbenzene transalkylation with benzene to produce ethylbenzene, a high-value aromatic in the industry. It was found that chromium decreases the specific surface area but increases the acidity, turning MCM-41 into an active and selective catalyst for ethylbenzene and toluene production. The coke produced on the catalyst is hydrogenated and mainly located outside the pores and thus can be easily removed. The catalyst is more active and selective than mordenite, a commercial catalyst, and thus more promising for commercial applications.