Production of xylenes from syngas

A process for producing xylenes, the process comprising:

• (a) providing a first feed comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide, in which the molar ratio of hydrogen to carbon monoxide is from about 0.5 to 6;
• (b) contacting the first feed with (i) a first catalyst comprising 1 to 50 wt % of Fe, and (ii) a second catalyst comprising at least one medium pore size molecular sieve, wherein contacting the first feed with the first catalyst and the second catalyst is carried out under conditions including a temperature from 200° C. to 370° C. and a pressure from 500 to 3000 kPa (absolute) effective to produce a reaction effluent containing benzene and/or toluene;
• and
• (c) reacting at least part of the benzene and/or toluene in the reaction effluent with a second feed comprising (i) methanol and/or (ii) hydrogen and carbon monoxide under conditions effective to produce p-xylene, wherein the reacting is conducted in the presence of a third catalyst comprising at least one molecular sieve having a Diffusion Parameter for 2,2-dimethylbutane of from 0.1 to 15 sec−1 when measured at a temperature of 120° C. and a 2,2-dimethylbutane pressure of 60 torr (8kPa),
• wherein the second catalyst is selectivated by contacting the second catalyst with steam at a temperature of at least 950° C. for about 10 minutes to 10 hours.