Alkylation of benzene with propene to produce cumene over a nickel/γ-alumina catalyst

The alkylation of benzene with propene to produce cumene over a Ni/γ-Al2O3 catalyst has been investigated in a fixed-bed continuous-flow reactor. At 70° C, 1.5 MPa, a molar ratio of 3:1 (benzene/propene), and a weight hourly space velocity of 2.0 h−1, the conversion of propene is 99.9%, the selectivity of cumene is 98.7%, and no n-propylbenzene is formed. In terms of lifetime and catalyst utilization value, the Ni/γ-Al2O3 catalyst yields an optimum performance of 1500 h and 1120 g cumene/g catalyst.