MgO encapsulated mesoporous zeolite for the side chain alkylation of toluene with methanol.

Side chain alkylation of toluene with methanol was studied over mesoporous zeolite supported MgO catalysts. MgO were supported onto the carbon templated mesoporous silicalite-1 by direct synthesis route under microwave conditions. This direct synthesis route yields the majority of MgO highly dispersed into the mesopores of the silicalite-1 crystals. The vapor phase alkylation of toluene with methanol was performed over these catalysts under vapor phase conditions at atmospheric pressure. Mesoporous silicalite-1 supported MgO catalysts gave improved yields towards side chain alkylated products compared to the bulk MgO. The higher activity exhibited by 5% MgO supported on mesoporous silicalite compared to the one with 1% MgO can be attributed to the large number of weak basic sites observed from the CO2 TPD.