Catalytic thermal reactions of cumene over sepiolite and palygorskite

The catalytic activity of sepiolite and palygorskite in cracking and disproportionation reactions of cumene was studied. The formation of benzene, diisopropylbenzene and propylene characterizes Brönsted acid sites whereas that of ethylbenzene characterizes Lewis acid sites. At 150 and 250°C the reactions are determined mainly by the presence of acid sites in the channels of these clays. The yields are significantly higher in sepiolite as compared to palygorskite. The concentration of acid sites and their strength increase with the thermal loss of zeolitic and part of the bound water. At 350°C the reactions are determined by the acidity of the external surface of both minerals and yields are only slightly higher in sepiolite. At 150°C most acid sites are of the Brönsted type. With the rise in temperature the relative concentration of Lewis acid sites increases.