A comparison of rates of disproportionation and transalkylation of m‐xylene

Abstract The relative rates of toluene transalkylation, disproportionation and benzene transalkylation of m‐xylene over a catalyst consisting of 72% HY zeolite, 18% β‐AlF3 and 10% (all w/w) Cu have been studied at a temperature of 723K, reciprocal space velocity of 352 g h−1 mol−1 and at total pressures varying between 101 and 911.93 kPa. The catalysed disproportionation of m‐xylene is fastest and this has been explained in terms of the greater basicity of m‐xylene over either benzene or toluene, whereas the catalyst is acidic. Thus m‐xylene would be expected to adsorb more strongly on the catalyst.