Patent ID: 6462248
Filing Date: 2002-10-08
Classification: C07C

Abstract:
A method for producing aromatic compounds having an alkyl group comprising at least 3 carbon atoms, which comprises steps (1) and (2):(1) a step of contacting a feed that contains an aromatic compound bonded to a branched alkyl group having at least 3 carbon atoms, with a zeolite-containing catalyst in a liquid phase in the presence of hydrogen therein, thereby changing the relative positions of the carbon atoms of said alkyl group bonded to the aromatic ring of the compound; and (2) a step of treating a mixture of isomers of an aromatic compound bonded to an alkyl group having at least 3 carbon atoms, with a zeolite adsorbent that contains at least one exchangeable cation selected from the group consisting of alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, lead, thallium and silver, and separating the isomerized compound from the isomer mixture through adsorption, wherein the step (1) of changing the relative positions of the carbon atoms of the alkyl group that is bonded to the aromatic ring of the starting compound are/is for at least one type of conversion of the following (a) to (c): (a) conversion reducing the number of branches of said alkyl group, (b) conversion shortening branched side chains of said alkyl group, (c) conversion changing the alkyl group into a different alkyl group having a secondary carbon that bonds to the aromatic ring via said secondary carbon.