Cerium Incorporated Nanocrystalline ZSM-5: An Efficient Catalyst for Friedel Crafts Acylation of Toluene.

In this paper, the application of cerium modified nanocrystalline zeolite ZSM-5 as catalyst for Friedel Crafts acylation of toluene was investigated and compared with nanocrystalline ZSM-5. The acylating agent used was acetic anhydride. The zeolite samples were characterized by means of Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), Thermal analysis, ammonia temperature-programmed desorption (NH₃-TPD) and Nitrogen sorption analysis. The results show an enhanced Lewis acidity, pore volume and surface area for cerium modified ZSM-5 providing a superior accessibility for acetic anhydride and toluene to the active sites compared to the unmodified one, thereby leading to 93% conversion of acetic anhydride, which was higher than that of unmodified ZSM-5 sample.