Differences between ZSM-5 and ZSM-11 zeolite catalysts in 1-hexene aromatization and isomerization

ZSM-5 and ZSM-11 zeolites with high crystallinity are synthesized and tested in the aromatization and isomerization reactions of 1-hexene at 370 degrees C in a continuous flow fixed bed. The results indicate that ZSM-5 and ZSM-11 zeolites possess similar acid site amount and strength, and most of the acid sites belong to Bronsted acid. When the ZSM-5 and ZSM-11 zeolites were used as catalysts, the aromatics selectivity over ZSM-11 catalyst was higher than that over ZSM-5 catalyst in contrast to i-paraffins selectivity, maybe attributed to that the C-7 and C-8 aromatics have an easier exit from the ZSM-11 zeolite. Moreover, the decrease of particle size can present superior aromatics selectivity and less i-paraffins selectivity in the aromatization and isomerization of 1-hexene over the ZSM-11 catalyst. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.