Toluene Alkylation with Methanol over Zeolite Catalysts (A Review)

Abstract This review examines the current state of fundamental research into p-xylene synthesis via toluene alkylation with methanol, alongside the prospects for its commercial implementation. We discuss the reaction mechanism, the influence of the catalyst’s physicochemical properties, and the effects of varying reaction conditions on performance. Particular emphasis is placed on strategies for achieving two goals simultaneously: maintaining high catalytic activity while optimizing methanol utilization—the primary obstacle to commercialization—and maximizing the p-xylene yield among aromatic products. Finally, we address key practical considerations for scaling up this process using zeolite catalysts.