Understanding the Effect of IM-5 Zeolite Treated with Hexafluorosilicic Acid for the Methanol Alkylation of Pseudocumene.

A study systematically investigating the structural modifications and catalytic performance of IM-5 zeolite treated with hexafluorosilicic acid in pseudocumene alkylation with methanol was carried out. Characterization techniques revealed significant alterations in crystal structure, morphology, textural properties, coordination environment, and acidity induced by the modifications. Catalytic evaluations demonstrated altered pseudocumene conversion, durene selectivity, and products distribution for optimized samples, with IM-5-0.01 (treated with 0.01 M modifier) showing superior activity stability. The improved performance was attributed to two key factors: a stable framework with high-density medium-strength Brønsted acid sites facilitating complete alkylation and expanded mesoporous volume promoting efficient product diffusion to mitigate deactivation. Conversely, reduced durene selectivity in modified samples stem from intensified isomerization reactions driven by increased external surface area, resulting in higher C9 product fractions. In contrast, the parent IM-5 zeolite exhibited rapid deactivation, with durene selectivity peaking at 40 h before declining. Mechanistic insights revealed dynamic processes including dealumination, defect formation, silicon repair, and aluminum redistribution during treatment, providing a theoretical foundation for rational catalyst design in alkylation reactions.