ARTICLE pubs.acs.org/IECR
Styrene Production through 1-Phenylethanol Vapor-Phase Dehydration in a New Reaction System Juan P. Perez Valencia* and Estanislao San Nicolas Sayans Centro de Tecnología de Repsol, Carretera de Extremadura, km. 18, 28935, Mostoles, Madrid, Spain ABSTRACT: This work describes an improved new reaction scheme for catalytic alcohol dehydration to the corresponding alkene, particularly as applied to styrene monomer production from 1-phenylethanol. The reaction was carried out in a bubble column containing an ionic liquid acid catalyst, which remains in liquid phase at the reaction conditions. The catalyst was set in a bubble tray and jacketed for heat supply, and a vapor containing the alcohol was fed through it. Good reaction control and high selectivity to styrene monomer (>97%) were achieved. Reduced ethylbenzene production (selectivity 95
