Patent ID: 7371911
Filing Date: 2008-05-13
Classification: C07C,Y02P

Abstract:
1. A process for the production of ethylbenzene comprising: (a) supplying an aromatic feedstock containing benzene into a reaction zone and into contact with a cerium-promoted zeolite beta molecular sieve alkylation catalyst in said reaction zone and containing cerium in an amount to provide a cerium/aluminum atomic ratio within the range of 0.25-5.0; (b) supplying a polyethylbenzene co-feed to said reaction zone; (c) supplying ethylene to said reaction zone; (d) operating said reaction zone at temperature and pressure conditions in which benzene is in the supercritical phase to cause ethylation of benzene and the transalkylation of polyethylbenzene and benzene in the presence of said zeolite beta alkylation catalyst to produce an alkylation product containing ethylbenzene as a primary product with the attendant production of heavier alkylated byproducts in a minor amount; and (e) recovering said alkylation product from said reaction zone.