Conversion of Heavy Aromatics to Lighter Aromatics with Low Ring Saturation and Hydrocarbon Cracking

A catalyst comprising:

• a metallic function derived from a metal constrained within cages and/or channels of a microporous material, wherein the cages and/or channels of the microporous material are defined by 8 tetrahedral atoms or fewer;
• and
• an acidic function derived from an additional zeolite having cages and/or channels defined by 10 or more tetrahedral atoms,
• wherein the metal containing microporous material and the additional zeolite providing the acidic function are coupled by a binder.

A method comprising:

• introducing a feed comprising hydrogen, toluene, and C9+ aromatic hydrocarbons into a reactor, wherein at least a portion of the C9+ aromatic hydrocarbons comprise a C2+ alkyl group;
• and
• contacting the feed with the catalyst of claim 1,
• wherein the catalyst is effective to dealkylate at least a portion of the C9+ aromatic hydrocarbons comprising a C2+ alkyl group to generate a corresponding olefin and C9+ aromatic hydrocarbon and hydrogenate at least a portion of the corresponding olefin to form a corresponding alkane.