| abstract |
A catalyst which comprises a compound of a metal which is zinc, nickel, aluminium, copper, cadmium, cobalt, or magnesium, supported on a clay or a hydrous silicate, the catalyst being one which gives a minimum rate of conversion of 20% per hour at room temperature and atmospheric pressure of benzylchloride to diphenylÂmethane in a reaction mixture comprising benzene (140 ml), benzylchloride (10 ml), catalyst (8g at 1 m mol metal ion per gramme of catalyst). Such catalysts can be produced by contact of a solution of the metal compound with the clay or hydrous silicate. The catalysts may be used, for example, as alkylation or acylation catalysts. |