Benzene → Cumene

Participants

Reaction Steps

A zeolite-catalyzed cumene synthesis process in which benzene and propylene feedstocks are pre-treated to remove catalyst poisons. The benzene feedstock is pre-treated under pressure by contact with a “hot” clay bed at a temperature of about 200 to 500° C., followed by distillation of the benzene feedstock to separate the benzene from the higher molecular weight materials formed from olefinic poisons during the hot clay treatment. The benzene feed is also subjected to a “cold” clay treatment wherein the benzene distillate is contacted with an ambient-temperature clay. The propylene feedstock is pre-treated by contact with an alumina to remove trace sodium compounds and moisture, a molecular sieve to remove moisture, and two modified aluminas to remove catalyst poisons. The pre-treated propylene and benzene feedstocks are then reacted in the presence of a zeolite catalyst to form cumene without causing rapid degradation of the catalyst's activity.

Provenance & Evidence