Aromatic alkylation process using uzm-5, uzm-5p and uzm-6 zeolites

Abstract

A process for alkylating aromatic compounds using a family of zeolites, examples of which have been designated UZM-5, UZM-5P and UZM-6, and are represented by the empirical formula: M m n+ C g h+ R r p+ Al (1-x) E x Si y O z where M is an alkali or alkaline earth metal, E is an optional framework element, C organic nitrogen containing cation template, and R is an organic cation crystallization template. The zeolites have at least two x-ray diffraction peaks, one at a d-spacing of 3.9±0.12 Å and one at a d-spacing 8.6±0.20 Å; a tetragonal unit cell; and a micropore volume ranging from about 0.10 cc/g to about 0.18 cc/g.

1 . A transalkylation process comprising reacting under transalkylation reaction conditions a polyalkylated aromatic compound with a nonalkylated aromatic compound, wherein at least one alkyl group is transferred from the polyalkylated aromatic compound to the nonalkylated aromatic compound in the presence of a zeolite having a composition in the as synthesized form on an anhydrous basis in terms of mole ratios of the elements given by the empirical formula
   M m   n+ C g   h+ R r   p+ Al (1-x) E x Si y O z      
       where M is at least one exchangeable cation selected from the group consisting of alkali and alkaline earth metals, “m” is the mole ratio of M to (Al+E) and varies from more than 0 to about 1.2, C is at least one organic nitrogen containing cation, having C/N>4 and characterized in that it is a charge density mismatch template, selected from the group consisting of quaternary ammonium ions, diquaternary ammonium ions, and quaternized alkanolammonium ions, “g” is the mole ratio of C to (Al+E) and varies from more than 0 to about 5, R is at least one crystallization-inducing organic cation which differs from C and is selected from the group consisting of quaternary ammonium ions, diquaternary ammonium ions, protonated amines, protonated diamines, protonated alkanolamines and quaternized alkanolammonium ions, “r” is the mole ratio of R to (Al+E) and has a value from more than 0 to about 3, where g+r>0.2, “n” is the weighted average valence of M and has a value of about 1 to about 2, “h” is the weighted average valence of C and has a value of about 1 to about 2, “p” is the weighted average valence of R and has a value of about 1 to about 2, E is an element selected from the group consisting of gallium, iron, boron, indium, chromium, titanium, zirconium, and mixtures thereof, “x” is the mole fraction of E and has a value from 0 to about 0.5, “y” is the mole ratio of Si to (Al+E) and varies from about 5 to about 12; “z” is the mole ratio of 0 to (Al+E) and has a value determined by the equation
     z =( m·n+g·h+r·p+ 3+4 ·y )/2 
 
       the zeolite having (i) at least two x-ray diffraction peaks, one at a d-spacing of 3.9±0.12 Å and one at a d-spacing 8.6±0.20 Å; (ii) a tetragonal unit cell; and (iii) a micropore volume ranging from about 0.10 cc/g to about 0.18 cc/g. 
     
     
         2 . The process of  claim 1  where the alkyl groups of the polyalkylated aromatic compound contain from about 2 up to about 20 carbon atoms. 
     
     
         3 . The process of  claim 1  where said polyalkylated aromatic compound is a polyisopropyl benzene and the nonalkylated aromatic compound is benzene.