Comparison of surface passivation modification of two mordenite zeolites and their application on the isomerisation of -ethyltoluene.

During the isomerisation of -ethyltoluene (O-ET) to produce -ethyltoluene (M-ET) and -ethyltoluene (P-ET), it is crucial to improve the isomerisation selectivity and reduce side reactions, such as disproportionation, alkyl transfer, and splitting. In this study, in order to improve the selectivities toward M-ET and P-ET during O-ET isomerisation, both the commercial micropore mordenite (HM) and the prepared micro-mesoporous mordenite (HM-M) were treated through chemical liquid deposition using tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) and 3,5-dimethylphenylmagnesium bromide (DPB), respectively. Thereafter, their structure, porosity, and acidity were characterized X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, inductively coupled plasma, N sorption, temperature-programmed desorption of ammonia, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy of pyridine and 2,6-di--butylpyridine, and thermal analysis.