A Novel Development for Vapor Phase Alkylation of Aniline Processed with Clay, Oxides and Zeolite

Kotaiah Naik Dhanavath; Satyavathi Bankupalli; Jayashree Anireddy

Abstract

Vapour phase catalytic alkylation of aniline with ethanol is carried out over new catalysts including clay (attapulgite, and bentonite), metal oxides (Fe2O3 impregnated on attapulgite, and Fe2O3 + GeO2 supported on attapulgite) and zeolites (ZSM–5) in a down flow reactor. The reaction conditions viz temperature, molar ratio (aniline/ethanol) and catalyst lead to both C– and N–alkylation, with highest conversion of aniline to ethanol at 370°C temperature and 1:6 molar ratio over clay, metal oxides and zeolites catalysts 20%, 53% and 49.35%, 57.62% respectively. Among the tested catalysts, ZSM–5 showed excellent catalytic performance with the highest conversions of 80–98%. The clays were found to be excellent catalysts for N–alkylation of aniline. Further when these clays impregnated with a combination of metal oxides, the activity for C–alkylation of aniline. The main products conversion of aniline to ethanol monoethyl aniline, N, N–diethylaniline, ortho ethylaniline and 2, 6–diethylaniline were formed consecutively.