Effect of Catalyst Modification on Hydrodealkylation of Aromatic Mixtures

Hydrodealkylation of mesitylene in the presence of n-decane to benzene, toluene, and xylenes (BTX) over the promoted Cr-Al2O3 was studied. The effect of reaction temperature, WHSV, impregnation type, and amount of Cr and promoters such as V, Cs, Ni, and Mo on the stability and activity of Cr-Al2O3 was investigated. The addition of n-decane to mesitylene accelerated the hydrodealkylation activity of Cr-Al2O3 because of the formation of methyl- and ethyl-radicals. The catalyst modified with V and Cs (V-Cs-Cr-Al2O3) has a comparable performance with the commercial catalyst Pyrotol (Houdry, USA) in terms of stability, product selectivity, and reactant conversions.