Process for the production of ethylbenzene
AssigneeEl Paso Products Company
InventorJohn L. Cihonski
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Abstract
This invention provides a process for selective conversion of vinylcyclohexene to ethylbenzene and hydrogen in the presence of a palladium on non-acidic zeolite catalyst. In the catalyst preparation, the catalyst is calcined first in air and then in a hydrocarbon type environment. Without the two step calcination procedure, the catalyst has a lower level of activity and selectivity. The process proceeds as an oxygen-assisted dehydrogenation reaction which yields recoverable hydrogen byproduct, rather than as an oxydehydrogenation reaction which yields water byproduct.
Claims7
A process for the conversion of vinylcyclohexene to ethylbenzene and hydrogen which comprises contacting the vinylcyclohexene with between about 1-15 mole percent of molecular oxygen per mole of vinylcyclohexene, at a temperature in the range between about 190.degree.-260.degree. C. in the presence of a catalyst comprising palladium supported on a non-acidic zeolite carrier substrate;
- wherein the said catalyst has been pretreated by calcination in a molecular oxygen-containing atmosphere and then by calcination in a hydrogen or C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 nonaromatic hydrocarbon-containing atmosphere prior to vinylcyclohexene conversion, and wherein the said catalyst subsequently is reactivated by application of the said calcination procedure to provide a regenerated catalyst which exhibits substantially the same reactivity and selectivity as the original catalyst in the process.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.