Zeolites as catalysts: Porosity or acidity? Alkylation of benzene

Pore dimension and acidity play an important role in the zeolite catalytic activity. In the alkylation of benzene with ethanol over HZSM-5 zeolites the yield of ethylbenzene was found dependent on the acidity of the solid. However, more acidic zeolites, but with larger pore dimension, gave lower yields of alkylated products. When n-octanol is employed as an alkylating agent the effects of acidity and pore dimension can be distinguished.