Patent ID: 7361797

Claim:
A process for alkylation of an aromatic compound comprising: a) providing a catalyst including a zeolite Y having a crystal size of no more than 100 nm, wherein the step of providing a catalyst comprises, i) providing a porous inorganic oxide ii) impregnating the porous inorganic oxide with a liquid solution containing an inorganic micropore forming directing agent which provides hydroxide ions, wherein the amount of liquid solution is no more than about 100% of the pore volume of the inorganic oxide, and the concentration of the micropore forming directing agent in the liquid solution ranges from about 25% to about 60% by weight, and iii) heating the impregnated porous inorganic oxide at an elevated synthesis temperature for a duration of time sufficient to form a zeolite containing product; and b) reacting the aromatic compound with an alkylating agent in the presence of said catalyst under alkylation reaction conditions to provide an alkylate product.