Catalytic conversion of anisole over HY and HZSM-5 zeolites in the presence of different hydrocarbon mixtures

The conversion of pure anisole (with a methoxy functionality, typical of some bio-oil components) and its mixtures with propylene, n-decane, benzene, or tetralin, has been investigated over zeolites in continuous flow and pulse reactors. The dominant reaction of pure anisole is transalkylation, which produces phenol, cresols, xylenols, and methyl anisoles as main products. However, in the presence of an effective hydrogen donor like tetralin important differences in product distribution are observed. In addition, while with pure anisole in the feed a fast deactivation is observed, the addition of tetralin to the feed results in lower amounts of carbon deposits and much higher catalyst stability. By contrast, less dramatic effects on stability and carbon formation were observed with most of the other co-fed hydrocarbons investigated. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.