Aluminum distribution in mordenite synthesized with mixtures of templates for alkylation and isomerization/disproportionation reactions

Abstract

Mordenite is one of zeolites that receive most attention from researchers because of its important applications as catalysts, especially in the petrochemical industry. In that sense, this research project proposes the synthesis of zeolites with MOR topological structure by two methods: hydrothermal synthesis using two organic structure directing agents (SDAs) and synthesis by topotactic processing and its applications in alkylation and isomerization/disproportionation model reactions. The first synthesis method will be carried out using 1-benzyl-1-methylpyrrolidine or benzylpyrrolidine as SDA along with the pyrrolidine or diaminobenzene amine as co-SDA. Combining Rietveld refinement of structure and computational calculations is possible to investigate the real role of SDAs in the crystallization process and in the aluminum distribution in the mordenite framework. The second method will be performed by topotatic transformation of lamellar silicate Na-RUB-18 that will be employed as a precursor and as a silicon source in the synthesis. To evaluate acidity of the materials obtained by both methods, the adsorption of the probe molecules, pyridine and carbon monoxide, will be carried out and monitored by FTIR spectroscopy. The synthesized materials with different ratio Si/Al molar rations will be tested as catalysts for benzene alkylation with 1-dodecene and m-xylene isomerization/dispropor-tionation the reactions with commercial interest. Products and yield will be analyzed by gas chromatography.