Promotional synergistic effect of fine-tuned mordenite: Overcoming the selectivity limitations of naphthalene alkylation with tert-butyl alcohol

The selectivity limitations of tert-butylation of naphthalene for obtaining 2,6-di-tert-butylnaphathalene (DTBN) was overcame (2,6-/2,7-DTBN>30) over fine-tuned mordenite . With citric acid (CA) and zirconium modification, the synergistic effect of the alkylation catalyst was promoted and the ratio of 2.6-/2,7-DTBN increased after controlling the reaction conditions. Only requires 5.0 equivalents of solvent, 3.0 equivalents of tert-butanol and 20 wt% of catalyst dosage, the ratio of 2,6-DTBN/2,7-DTBN can reach to 49, overcoming the selectivity barriers in naphthalene alkylation reaction. Present study reveals that high 2,6-selectivity can be realized with the optimized acidity, enhanced synergistic effect and fine-tuned zeolite structures.