The present invention provides an improved catalyst and a method for its manufacture. The catalyst comprises an acidic, porous crystalline material and has a Proton Density Index of greater than about 1.0, for example from greater than 1.0 to about 2.0, e.g. from about 1.01 to about 1.85. This catalyst may be used to effect conversion in chemical reactions, and is particularly useful in a process for selectively producing a monoalkylated aromatic compound comprising the step of contacting an alkylatable aromatic compound with an alkylating agent under at least partial liquid phase conditions. The acidic, porous crystalline material of the catalyst may comprise an acidic, crystalline molecular sieve having the structure of zeolite Beta, an MWW structure type material, e.g. MCM-22, MCM-36, MCM-49 MCM-56, or a mixture thereof.

The present invention provides an improved catalyst and a method for its manufacture. The catalyst comprises an acidic, porous crystalline material and has a Proton Density Index of greater than about 1.0, for example from greater than 1.0 to about 2.0, e.g. from about 1.01 to about 1.85. This catalyst may be used to effect conversion in chemical reactions, and is particularly useful in a process for selectively producing a monoalkylated aromatic compound comprising the step of contacting an alkylatable aromatic compound with an alkylating agent under at least partial liquid phase conditions. The acidic, porous crystalline material of the catalyst may comprise an acidic, crystalline molecular sieve having the structure of zeolite Beta, an MWW structure type material, e.g. MCM-22, MCM-36, MCM-49 MCM-56, or a mixture thereof.

The present invention provides an improved catalyst and a method for its manufacture. The catalyst comprises an acidic, porous crystalline material and has a Proton Density Index of greater than about 1.0, for example from greater than 1.0 to about 2.0, e.g. from about 1.01 to about 1.85. This catalyst may be used to effect conversion in chemical reactions, and is particularly useful in a process for selectively producing a monoalkylated aromatic compound comprising the step of contacting an alkylatable aromatic compound with an alkylating agent under at least partial liquid phase conditions. The acidic, porous crystalline material of the catalyst may comprise an acidic, crystalline molecular sieve having the structure of zeolite Beta, an MWW structure type material, e.g. MCM-22, MCM-36, MCM-49 MCM-56, or a mixture thereof.

A catalyst can include a phosphorus modified zeolite having partly an ALPO structure. The ALPO structure can be determined by a signal between 35-45 ppm in .sup.27Al MAS NMR spectrum. The zeolite can include at least one ten member ring in the structure thereof. The catalyst can also include a binder and one or more metal oxides. The catalyst can be used in processes in the presence of steam at high temperatures, such as temperatures that are above 300° C. and up to 800° C. The catalyst can be used in alcohol dehydration, olefin cracking, MTO processes, and alkylation of aromatic compounds with olefins and/or alcohols.

A catalyst can include a phosphorus modified zeolite having partly an ALPO structure. The ALPO structure can be determined by a signal between 35-45 ppm in .sup.27Al MAS NMR spectrum. The zeolite can include at least one ten member ring in the structure thereof. The catalyst can also include a binder and one or more metal oxides. The catalyst can be used in processes in the presence of steam at high temperatures, such as temperatures that are above 300° C. and up to 800° C. The catalyst can be used in alcohol dehydration, olefin cracking, MTO processes, and alkylation of aromatic compounds with olefins and/or alcohols.

Provided is a method of alkylating an aromatic compound comprising contacting an aromatic compound and an alkylating agent in the presence of UCB-3 as a catalyst under reaction conditions suitable for aromatic alkylation. The aromatic compound preferably comprises benzene or toluene and the alkylation agent preferably comprises an olefin or alcohol. Lower temperature ranges can be used for the reaction, for example in the range of from 100 to 300° C.

Provided is a method of alkylating an aromatic compound comprising contacting an aromatic compound and an alkylating agent in the presence of UCB-3 as a catalyst under reaction conditions suitable for aromatic alkylation. The aromatic compound preferably comprises benzene or toluene and the alkylation agent preferably comprises an olefin or alcohol. Lower temperature ranges can be used for the reaction, for example in the range of from 100 to 300° C.

Provided is a method of alkylating an aromatic compound comprising contacting an aromatic compound and an alkylating agent in the presence of UCB-3 as a catalyst under reaction conditions suitable for aromatic alkylation. The aromatic compound preferably comprises benzene or toluene and the alkylation agent preferably comprises an olefin or alcohol. Lower temperature ranges can be used for the reaction, for example in the range of from 100 to 300° C.

A method of producing a purified mixed xylene comprising: introducing toluene and methanol to an alkylation reactor (32); reacting the toluene and the methanol in the alkylation reactor (32) to form a hydrocarbon stream (22) comprising a first mixed xylene, wherein the alkylation reactor (32) comprises an alkylation catalyst; separating the hydrocarbon stream (22) into a toluene stream (24) and a separated C.sub.8+ stream (14); introducing the toluene stream (24) to a transalkylation reactor (38) with a transalkylation catalyst to produce a transalkylated stream (17) comprising a second mixed xylene; adding the transalkylated stream (17) to the hydrocarbon stream (22); and separating a C.sub.8 product stream (19) comprising the purified mixed xylene from the separated C.sub.8+ stream (14).

A method of producing a purified mixed xylene comprising: introducing toluene and methanol to an alkylation reactor (32); reacting the toluene and the methanol in the alkylation reactor (32) to form a hydrocarbon stream (22) comprising a first mixed xylene, wherein the alkylation reactor (32) comprises an alkylation catalyst; separating the hydrocarbon stream (22) into a toluene stream (24) and a separated C.sub.8+ stream (14); introducing the toluene stream (24) to a transalkylation reactor (38) with a transalkylation catalyst to produce a transalkylated stream (17) comprising a second mixed xylene; adding the transalkylated stream (17) to the hydrocarbon stream (22); and separating a C.sub.8 product stream (19) comprising the purified mixed xylene from the separated C.sub.8+ stream (14).