Alkylation of xylenes with acetaldehyde/paraldehyde with sulfuric acid as catalyst in a two-phase system

Journal Article · Sat Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1983 · Ind. Eng. Chem. Process Des. Dev.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/i200020a026· OSTI ID:5833371

Vasudevan, T V; Sharma, M M

The kinetics of alkylation of xylenes with acetaldehyde/paraldehyde, with sulfuric acid (86.5-98% w/w) as a catalyst in a two-phase system to give dixylylethanes, was studied in the temperature range of -13 to -3/sup 0/C. Two mechanically agitated contactors, one of 8.5 cm i.d. and the other of 11 cm i.d., were used and it was possible to eliminate mass transfer resistance. Experiments were conducted in batch as well as continuous modes of operation. The reaction was found to be first order with respect to xylene as well as acetaldehyde (concentration < 2.9 M). Some novel features of this reaction system have been brought out, including the remarkable effect of the concentration of sulfuric acid on the pseudo-second-order rate constant, which increases by a factor of about 25 as the strength of sulfuric acid is increased from 86.5 to 98 wt %.

• Research Organization: Department of Chemical Technology, University of Bombay, Matunga, Bombay 400019
• OSTI ID: 5833371
• Journal Information: Ind. Eng. Chem. Process Des. Dev.; (United States), Vol. 22:1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC
ORGANIC
PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
XYLENES
ALKYLATION
ACETALDEHYDE
CATALYSTS
CATALYTIC EFFECTS
CHEMICAL REACTION KINETICS
ETHANE
LOW TEMPERATURE
MASS TRANSFER
SULFURIC ACID
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE
TWO-PHASE FLOW
ALDEHYDES
ALKANES
AROMATICS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
FLUID FLOW
HYDROCARBONS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INORGANIC ACIDS
KINETICS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
REACTION KINETICS
400301* - Organic Chemistry- Chemical &amp; Physicochemical Properties- (-1987)