Ethylation of ethylbenzene

R-Si-ZSM-5 catalysts have been reported as active and selective in the ethylation of ethylbenzene to />ara-diethylbenzene (PDB), with a yield of 95-98% (Xiangsheng et al. 1997). The high />ara-selectivity is due, according to the authors, to the reduction in acid strength within the pores and the reduction in acid sites on the crystal s external surface. 

Xiangsheng, W., W. Guiru and G. Hongchen, 1997, Ethylation of ethylbenzene to produce para-diethylbenzene, in Progress in Zeolite and Microporous Materials, eds H. Chon, S.-K. Ihm and Y.S. Uh, Vol. 105 of Studies in Surface Science and Catalysis (Elsevier, Amsterdam) pp. 1357—1364. 

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