Liquid Phase Benzylation of Toluene over Modified Titania Catalysts

Titania, sulfated titania and a series of iron loaded sulfated titania catalyst with different iron loadings (39 %) are prepared by sol-gel method and calcined at 500°C. Anatase is found to be the active phase with crystallite size in the nano range. All the prepared catalysts are found to be stable up to 700°C. Acidity is measured using spectrophotometric monitoring of adsorption of perylene, thermogravimetric desorption of 2,6-dimethylpyridine and temperature programmed desorption of ammonia. The activities of the catalysts were tested for liquid phase Friedel-Crafts benzylation of toluene with benzyl chloride. It has been concluded that Lewis acid sites are responsible for the reaction.