Reaction Kinetics of Benzylation of Benzene with Benzyl Chloride on Sulfate-Treated Metal Oxide Catalysts

Sulfate-promoted metal oxides of ZrO 2 (SZ) and Fe 2 O 3 (SF) and the mixed oxide ZrO 2 −Fe 2 O 3 (SZF) have been prepared by coprecipitation and wet impregnation techniques. The synergistic effect of the dopant metal oxide in the matrix of the parent sulfated oxide, SO 4 2- /ZrO 2 (SZ), has been studied for the alkylation reaction of benzene with benzyl chloride. An attempt has been made to decrease the polyalkylation observed on the highly reactive catalyst, SO 4 2- /Fe 2 O 3 (SF). Detailed kinetic study of the reaction has been carried out to evaluate the kinetic parameters.