Effects of the Framework and Mesoporosity on the Catalytic Activity of Hierarchical Zeolite Catalysts in Benzyl Alcohol Conversion

The catalytic performance of three‐dimensionally ordered mesoporous imprinted (3DOm‐i) zeolite catalysts with different frameworks (3DOm‐i MFI, 3DOm‐i BEA, and 3DOm‐i LTA) were investigated by the liquid‐phase catalytic conversion of benzyl alcohol in mesitylene and compared to that of other microporous and mesoporous catalysts with a high external surface area, which included MCM‐22, 300 nm MFI, ITQ‐2, and Al‐MCM‐41. The mesoporosity in MFI and BEA zeolites can effectively enhance the catalytic performance of the zeolite catalysts for benzyl alcohol self‐etherification catalyzed by both the acid sites on the external and internal surface and the alkylation of mesitylene with benzyl alcohol catalyzed exclusively by the acid sites on the external surface. For 3DOm‐i LTA, MCM‐22, and Al‐MCM‐41, only the acid sites on the external surface can be utilized in the catalytic reactions. A distinct difference in the product selectivity was also observed for the microporous and mesoporous catalysts. Inside out: The effects of the framework and mesoporosity on the catalytic activity of hierarchical zeolite catalysts are investigated by studying the catalytic performance of three‐dimensionally ordered mesoporous imprinted zeolites and comparing them to other microporous and mesoporous catalysts with a high external surface area. The mesoporosity in MFI and BEA zeolites can enhance the catalytic performance of the zeolite catalysts for the self‐etherification of benzyl alcohol.