| abstract |
The present invention is for a process for the alkylation of aromatic compounds, with a shape-selective zeolite catalyst. The process has reactors in series with C 8+ aromatics being separated from the product stream effluents from each reactor before passing the reactor effluent to the next reactor with an additional input of methanol. The C 8+ aromatics are separated into para-xylene and other C 8+ aromatics. This process is applicable for toluene methylation having a molar excess of toluene: methanol, i.e., greater than 1:1, with a shape-selective catalyst of an aluminosilicate zeolite, such as ZSM-5 which has been modified with phosphorus, to produce para-xylene (p-xylene). |