Alkylation of toluene with methanol on zeolites. The role of electronegativity on the chain or ring alkylation

Catalysed alkylation of toluene with methanol on zeolites proceeds in two different ways, depending upon the nature of the zeolite, and gives rise to ethylbenzene-styrene and/or xylenes. The results indicate that the activity and selectivities are dictated by the acidity and electronegativity of the zeolites with the most electropositive ones producing ethylbenzene and styrene and the most electronegative catalysing formation of xylenes.