Zeolite ITQ-21 as catalyst for the alkylation of benzene with propylene

Zeolite ITQ-21 is shown to be a highly active catalyst for the alkylation of benzene with propylene to give cumene, an important intermediate in the petrochemical industry for phenol production. The unique three-dimensional pore network of ITQ-21, containing large cavities which are accessible through six 12 ring windows, is responsible for its higher stability towards deactivation, as compared to a reference BETA zeolite. This high activity allows operation at lower temperatures, decreasing in this way the selectivity to n-propylbenzene (NPB), a highly undesired product.