Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the alkylation of aromatics by reacting an aromatic hydrocarbon with an olefin in the presence of an ionic liquid comprising (a) a compound of the formula R.sub.n MX.sub.3-n wherein R is a C1-C6 alkyl radical, M is aluminium or gallium, X is a halogen atom and n is 0, 1 or 2 and, (b) a hydrocarbyl substituted imidazolium halide or a hydrocarbyl substituted pyridinium halide wherein at least one of the said hydrocarbyl substituents in the imidazolium halide is an alkyl group having 1-18 carbon atoms. The process allows ready separation of reaction products from the ionic liquid and improves selectivity to alkylated products.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 29, 1997
Date of Patent:
November 30, 1999
Assignee:
BP Chemicals Limited
Inventors:
Ala'a K Abdul-Sada, Martin Philip Atkins, Brian Ellis, Philip Kenneth Gordon Hodgson, Mark Louis Michael Morgan, Kenneth Richard Seddon