The catalytic properties of FAU zeolites with different porosity (microporous Na-X and granulated micro-me-so-macroporous Na-X, K-Na-X and CuO/Na-X) in the synthesis of aniline by the reaction of nitrobenzene with 2-propanol were studied for the first time. It was found that the maximum yield of aniline of 94% with almost complete conversion of nitrobenzene is observed on the CuO/Na-X catalyst (300°C, 20 wt. % catalyst, nitrobenzene : alcohol = 1 : 16 mol/mol, 5 h). The high activity and selectivity of the CuO/Na-X zeolite are due to its hierarchical porous structure, as well as the presence of the maximum number of weak and medium acid sites. Zeolite K-Na-X demonstrates the lowest selectivity for aniline and an increase in side reactions of acetone condensation, which is apparently associated with a decrease in the number of acidic sites and the appearance of basic sites.
S.V. Bubennow (Wed,) studied this question.