In situ Fourier transform i.r. observation of methylating species in ZSM-5
Abstract
In situ Fourier transform i.r. spectra show that MeOH in ZSM-5 forms an AlOMe species above 473 K which correlates with the onset of hydrocarbon formation and which methylates benzene, ethene, propene, and cyclopentene; MeOMe is protonated by internal acid sites at low temperatures but forms the same methylating species at 473 K and above.