ITS SYNTHESIS AND USE This invention relates to a novel synthetic porous crystalline material, to a method for its preparation and to its use in catalytic conversion of organic compounds. The invention also provides a novel organic directing agent for use in the synthesis of the crystalline material of the invention.

Zeolitic materials, both natural and synthetic, have been demonstrated in the past to have catalytic properties for various types of hydrocarbon conversion. Certain zeolitic materials are ordered, porous crystalline aluminosilicates having a definite crystalline structure as determined by X-ray diffraction, within which there are a large number of smaller cavities which may be interconnected by a number of still smaller channels or pores. These cavities and pores are uniform in size within a specific zeolitic material. Since the dimensions of these pores are such as to accept for adsorption molecules of certain dimensions while rejecting those of larger dimensions, these materials have come to be known as"molecular sieves"and are utilized in a variety of ways to take advantage of these properties.

Such molecular sieves, both natural and synthetic, include a wide variety of positive ion-containing crystalline silicates. These silicates can be described as a rigid three- dimensional framework of Si04 and Periodic Table Group IIIA element oxide, e. g., A104, in which the tetrahedra are cross-linked by the sharing of oxygen atoms whereby the ratio of the total Group IIIA element, e. g., aluminum, and silicon atoms to oxygen atoms is 1: 2. The electrovalence of the tetrahedra containing the Group IIIA element, e. g., aluminum, is balanced by the inclusion in the crystal of a cation, for example an alkali metal or an alkaline earth metal cation. This can be expressed wherein the ratio of the Group IIIA element, e. g., aluminum, to the number of various cations, such as Ca/2, Sr/2, Na, K or Li, is equal to unity. One type of cation may be exchanged either entirely or partially with another type of cation utilizing ion exchange techniques in a conventional manner. By means of such cation exchange, it has been possible to vary the properties of a given silicate by suitable selection of the cation. The spaces between the tetrahedra are occupied by molecules of water prior to dehydration.

Prior art techniques have resulted in the formation of a great variety of synthetic zeolites. Many of these zeolites have come to be designated by letter or other convenient symbols, as illustrated by zeolite A (U. S. Patent 2,882,243); zeolite X (U. S. Patent 2,882,244); zeolite Y (U. S. Patent 3,130,007); zeolite ZK-5 (U. S. Patent zeolite ZK-4 (U. S.

Patent zeolite ZSM-5 (U. S. Patent 3,702,886); zeolite ZSM-11 (U. S. Patent 3,709,979); zeolite ZSM-12 (U. S. Patent 3,832,449), zeolite ZSM-20 (U. S. Patent 3,972,983); ZSM-35 (U. S. Patent zeolite ZSM-23 (U. S. Patent 4,076,842); zeolite MCM-22 (U. S. Patent 4, 954,325); and zeolite MCM-35 (U. S. Patent 4, 981,663).

The Si02/AI203 ratio of a given zeolite is often variable. For example, zeolite X can be synthesized with SiO2/AI203 ratios of from 2 to 3; zeolite Y, from 3 to about 6. In some zeolites, the upper limit of the Si02/AI203 ratio is unbounded. ZSM-5 is one such example wherein the SiO2/AI203 ratio is at least 5 and up to the limits of present analytical measurement techniques. U. S. Patent 3,941,871 (Re. 29,948) discloses a porous crystalline silicate made from a reaction mixture containing no deliberately added alumina in the starting mixture and exhibiting the X-ray diffraction pattern characteristic of ZSM-5. U. S. Patent Nos. 4,061,724; 4,073,865 and 4,104,294 describe crystalline silicates of varying alumina and metal content.

Many zeolites are synthesized in the presence of an organic directing agent, such as an organic nitrogen compound. For example, ZSM-5 may be synthesized in the presence of tetrapropylammonium cations and zeolite MCM-22 may be synthesized in the presence of hexamethyleneimine. It is also possible to synthesize zeolites and related molecular sieves in the presence of rigid polycyclic quaternary directing agents (see, for example U. S. Patent Nos.

5,501,848 and 5,225,179), flexible diquatemary directing agents (Zeolites, [1994], 14,504) and rigid polycyclic diquatemary directing agents (JACS, [1992], 114,4195).

The present invention is directed to a novel porous crystalline material, named MCM- 68, which comprises at least one channel system, in which each channel is defined by a 12- membered ring of tetrahedrally coordinated atoms, and at least two further, independent channel systems, in each of which each channel is defined by a 10-membered ring of tetrahedrally coordinated atoms, wherein the number of unique 10-membered ring channels is twice the number of 12-membered ring channels.

The invention also resides in a method for preparing MCM-68, in the use of MCM-68 in the conversion of organic compounds, and in a novel polycyclic organic dication useful in the synthesis of MCM-68.

The invention will now be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a schematic, three-dimensional illustration of a unit cell of MCM-68, showing only the tetrahedral atoms and the linkage between the tetrahedral atoms.

Figure 2 is a schematic, three-dimensional illustration similar to Figure 1 but of a

plurality of unit cells.

Figure 3 shows the X-ray diffraction pattern of the as-synthesized product of Example 5.

Figure 4 shows the X-ray diffraction pattern of the as-calcined product of Example 5.

The synthetic porous crystalline material of this invention, MCM-68, is a single crystalline phase which has a unique 3-dimensional channel system comprising at least one channel system, in which each channel is defined by a 12-membered ring of tetrahedrally coordinated atoms, and at least two further independent channel systems, in which each channel is defined by a 10-membered ring of tetrahedrally coordinated atoms, wherein the number of unique 10-membered ring channels is twice the number of 12-membered ring channels. The normal crystalline form of MCM-68 contains one 12-membered ring channel system and two 10-membered ring channel systems, in which the channels of each system extend perpendicular to the channels of the other systems and in which the12-ring channels are generally straight and the 10-ring channels are tortuous (sinusoidal).

The structure of MCM-68 may be defined by its unit cell, which is the smallest structural unit containing all the structural elements of the material. Table 1 lists the positions of each tetrahedral atom in the unit cell in nanometers; each tetrahedral atom is bonded to an oxygen atom which is also bonded to an adjacent tetrahedral atom. The structure represented by Table 1 is shown in Figure 1 (which shows only the tetrahedral atoms). More extended versions of the structure are simply generated by attaching identical unit cells in any of the x, y or z directions. A more extended structure, illustrating the pores, is shown in Figure 2. Since the tetrahedral atoms may move about due to other crystal forces (presence of inorganic or organic species, for example), a range of + 0.05 nm is implied for each coordinate position.

TABLE1 <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> x y Z x y z<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> T 1 0. 242 1. 370 0. 242 T 45 0. 971 0. 508 0. 385<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> T 2 0. 241 1. 372 0. 552 T 46 1. 025 0. 804 0. 764<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> T 3 0. 051 0. 400 0. 152 T 47 1. 025 0. 804 0. 455<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> T 4 0. 244 0. 463 0. 383 T 48 1. 161 0. 451 0. 153 T 5 0. 056 0. 406 0. 623 T 49 1. 370 0. 242 1.775 T 6 0. 110 0. 110 0. 244 T 50 1. 372 0. 241 1.465 T 7 0. 110 0. 110 0. 554 T 51 0. 400 0. 051 1.865 T 8 0. 247 0. 464 0. 856 T 52 0. 463 0. 244 1.635 T 9 1. 587 0. 459 0. 242 T 53 0. 406 0. 056 1.394 T 10 1. 588 0. 457 0. 552 T 54 0. 110 0. 110 1.773 <BR> <BR> T 11 1. 778 1. 429 0. 152 T 55 0. 110 0. 110 1.463 T 12 1. 585 1. 366 0. 383 T 56 0. 464 0. 247 1.161 T 13 1. 772 1. 422 0. 623 T 57 0. 459 1. 587 1.775 T 14 1. 718 1. 718 0. 244 T 58 0. 457 1. 588 1.465 T 15 1. 718 1. 718 0. 554 T 59 1. 429 1. 778 1.865 T 16 1. 582 1. 365 0. 856 T 60 1. 366 1. 585 1.635 T 17 1. 373 1. 156 1. 250 T 61 1. 422 1. 772 1.394 T 18 1. 372 1. 156 1. 561 T 62 1. 718 1. 718 1.773 T 19 0. 515 0. 965 1. 161 T 63 1. 718 1. 718 1.463 T 20 0. 451 1. 158 1. 391 T 64 1. 365 1. 582 1.161 T 21 0. 508 0. 971 1. 632 T 65 1. 587 0. 459 1.775 T 22 0. 804 1. 025 1. 253 T 66 1. 588 0. 457 1.465 T 23 0. 804 1. 025 1. 563 T 67 1. 778 1. 429 1.865 T 24 0. 451 1. 161 1. 865 T 68 1. 585 1. 366 1.635 T 25 0. 455 0. 672 1. 250 T 69 1. 772 1. 422 1.394 T 26 0. 457 0. 673 1. 561 T 70 1. 582 1. 365 1.161 T 27 1. 314 0. 864 1. 161 T 71 0. 242 1. 370 1.775 T 28 1. 377 0. 671 1. 391 T 72 0. 241 1. 372 1.465 T 29 1. 321 0. 858 1. 632 T 73 0. 051 0. 400 1.865 T 30 1. 025 0. 804 1. 253 T 74 0. 244 0. 463 1.635 T 31 1. 025 0. 804 1. 563 T 75 0. 056 0. 406 1.394 T 32 1. 378 0. 668 1. 865 T 76 0. 247 0. 464 1.161 <BR> <BR> <BR> T 33 0. 672 0. 455 0. 767 T 77 0. 455 0. 672 0. 767<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> T 34 0. 673 0. 457 0. 456 T 78 0. 457 0. 673 0. 456<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> T 35 0. 864 1. 314 0. 856 T 79 1. 314 0. 864 0. 856<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> T 36 0. 671 1. 377 0. 626 T 80 1. 377 0. 671 0. 626<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> T 37 0. 858 1. 321 0. 385 T 81 1. 321 0. 858 0. 385<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> T 38 0. 804 1. 025 0. 764 T 82 1. 378 0. 668 0. 153<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> T 39 0. 804 1. 025 0. 455 T 83 1. 373 1. 156 0. 767<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> T 40 0. 668 1. 378 0. 153 T 84 1. 372 1. 156 0. 456<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> T 41 1. 156 1. 373 0. 767 T 85 0. 515 0. 965 0. 856<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> T 42 1. 156 1. 372 0. 456 T 86 0. 451 1. 158 0. 626<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> T 43 0. 965 0. 515 0. 856 T 87 0. 508 0. 971 0. 385<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> T 44 1. 158 0. 451 0. 626 T 88 0. 451 1. 161 0. 153

TABLE 1 (cont'd) x y z T 89 1.156 1.373 1.250 T 90 1.156 1.372 1.561 T 91 0. 965 0. 515 1.161 T 92 1.158 0. 451 1.391 T 93 0. 971 0. 508 1.632 T 94 1.161 0. 451 1.865 T 95 0. 672 0. 455 1.250 T 96 0. 673 0. 457 1.561 T 97 0. 864 1.314 1.161 T 98 0. 671 1.377 1.391 T 99 0. 858 1.321 1.632 T 100 0. 668 1.378 1.865 T 101 0. 459 1.587 0. 242 T 102 0. 457 1.588 0. 552 T 103 1.429 1.778 0. 152 T 104 1.366 1.585 0. 383 T 105 1.422 1.772 0. 623 T 106 1.365 1.582 0. 856 T 107 1.370 0. 242 0. 242 T 108 1.372 0. 241 0. 552 T 109 0. 400 0. 051 0. 152 T 110 0. 463 0. 244 0. 383 T 111 0. 406 0. 056 0. 623 T 112 0. 464 0. 247 0. 856 MCM-68 can be prepared in essentially pure form with little or no detectable impurity crystal phases and, in its calcine form, has an X-ray diffraction pattern which is distinguished from the patterns of other known as-synthesized or thermally treated crystalline materials by the lines listed in Table 2 below. In its as-synthesized form, the crystalline MCM-68 material of the invention has an X-ray diffraction pattern which is distinguished from the patterns of other known as-synthesized or thenmally treated crystalline materials by the lines listed in Table 3 below.

TABLE 2 Intensity[100xI/I(o)]d(Å)Relative 0.39S13.60+/- 0.37VS13.00+/- 10.92 +/-0. 31 M 0.29M10.10+/- 0.26VS9.18+/- 8.21 +/-0. 23 W 4.58W0.13 0.13W4.54+/- 4.45VW-W0.13 0.12VW4.32+/- 4.22 +/-0. 12 VW 0.12VS4.10+/- 4.05M0.11 0.11M3.94+/- 3.85+/-0. 11 M 3.80VW0.11 0.10W3.40+/- 3.24 +/-0. 09 W 2.90 +/-0. 08 VW TABLE 3 d(Å) [100xI/I(o)]Intensity 13.56VW0.39 12.93M-S0.37 10.92 +/-0. 31 W 10.16+/-0. 29 VW-W 9.15+/-0. 26 VW-W 0.23VW8.19+/- 0.13W4.58+/- 0.13W4.54+/- 4.44W0.12 0.12VW4.32+/- 0.12VW4.23+/- 0.12VS4.10+/- 4.06+/-0. 12 M 0.11W3.98+/- 3.88M0.11 0.11VW3.80+/- 0.10VW3.40+/- 3.24 +/-0. 09 W 2.90 +/-0. 08 VW

These X-ray diffraction data were collected with a Scintag diffraction system, equipped with a germanium solid state detector, using copper K-alpha radiation. The diffraction data were recorded by step-scanning at 0.02 degrees of two-theta, where theta is the Bragg angle, and a counting time of 10 seconds for each step. The interplanar spacings, d's, were calculated in Angstrom units, and the relative intensities of the lines, t/to is one-hundredth of the intensity of the strongest line, above background, were derived with the use of a profile fitting routine (or second derivative algorithm). The intensities are uncorrected for Lorentz and polarization effects. The relative intensities are given in terms of the symbols vs = very strong (80-100), s = strong (60-80), m = medium (40-60), w = weak (20-40), and vw = very weak (0-20). It should be understood that diffraction data listed for this sample as single lines may consist of multiple overlapping lines which under certain conditions, such as differences in crystallographic changes, may appear as resolved or partially resolved lines. Typically, crystallographic changes can include minor changes in unit cell parameters and/or a change in crystal symmetry, without a change in the structure. These minor effects, including changes in relative intensities, can also occur as a result of differences in cation content, framework composition, nature and degree of pore filling, crystal size and shape, preferred orientation and thermal and/or hydrothermal history.

The crystalline material of this invention has a composition involving the molar relationship: X203: (n) YO2. wherein X is a trivalent element, such as aluminum, boron, iron, indium, and/or gallium, preferably aluminum; Y is a tetravalent element such as silicon, tin, titanium and/or germanium, preferably silicon; and n is at least about 5, such as 5 to100,000, and usually from about 8 to about 50. In the as-synthesized form, the material has a formula, on an anhydrous basis and in terms of moles of oxides per n moles of YO2, as follows: (0.1-2) M20: (0.2-2) Q: X203: (n) YO2 wherein M is an alkali or alkaline earth metal, and Q is an organic moiety. The M and Q components are associated with the material as a result of their presence during crystallization, and are easily removed by post-crystallization methods hereinafter more particularly described.

The crystalline material of the invention is thermally stable and in the calcine form exhibits a high surface area (660 m2/g with micropore volume of 0.21 cc/g) and significant hydrocarbon sorption capacity:

n-Hexane sorption at 75 torr 90°C-10.8 Wt. % Benzene sorption at 75 torr 30°C-18.8 Wt. % 2,2 Dimethylbutane sorption at 60 torr 120°C-11.0 Wt. % Mesitylene sorption 2 torr at 100°C-3.3 Wt. % In its active, hydrogen form MCM-68 exhibits a high acid activity, with an alpha value of 900-1000. Alpha Value is an approximate indication of the catalytic cracking activity of the catalyst compare to a standard catalyst and it gives the relative rate constant (rate of normal hexane conversion per volume of catalyst per unit time). It is based on the activity of silica-alumina cracking catalyst taken as an Alpha of 1 (Rate Constant = 0.016 sec-1).

The Alpha Test is described in U. S. Patent 3,354,078; in the Joumal of Catalvsis, 4,527 (1965); 6,278 (1966); and 61,395 (1980), each incorporated herein by reference as to that description. The experimental conditions of the test used herein include a constant temperature of 538°C and a variable flow rate as described in detail in the Journal of Catalysis, 61,395 (1980).

To the extent desired, the original sodium and/or potassium cations of the as- synthesized material can be replace in accordance with techniques well known in the art, at least in part, by ion exchange with other cations. Preferred replacing cations include metal ions, hydrogen ions, hydrogen precursor, e. g., ammonium ions and mixtures thereof.

Particularly preferred cations are those which tailor the catalytic activity for certain hydrocarbon conversion reactions. These include hydrogen, rare earth metals and metals of Groups IIA, IIIA, IVA, VA, IB, IIB, IIIB, IVB, VB, VIB, VIIB and VIII of the Periodic Table of the Elements.

When used as a catalyst, the crystalline material of the invention may be subjected to treatment to remove part or all of any organic constituent. The crystalline material can also be used as a catalyst in intimate combination with a hydrogenating component such as tungsten, vanadium, molybdenum, rhenium, nickel, cobalt, chromium, manganese, or a noble metal such as platinum or palladium where a hydrogenation-dehydrogenation function is to be performed. Such component can be in the composition by way of co- crystallization, exchanged into the composition to the extent a Group IIIA element, e. g., aluminum, is in the structure, impregnated therein or intimately physically admixed therewith. Such component can be impregnated in or on to it such as, for example, by, in the case of platinum, treating the silicate with a solution containing a platinum metal- containing ion. Thus, suitable platinum compounds for this purpose include chloroplatinic acid, platinous chloride and various compounds containing the platinum amine complex.

The above crystalline MCM-68 material can be transformed by thermal treatment.

This thermal treatment is generally performed by heating at a temperature of at least about 370°C for at least 1 minute and generally not longer than 20 hours. While subatmospheric pressure can be employed for the thermal treatment, atmospheric pressure is desired for reasons of convenience. The thermal treatment can be performed at a temperature up to about 925°C. The thermally treated product, especially in its metal, hydrogen and ammonium forms, is particularly useful in the catalysis of certain organic, e. g., hydrocarbon, conversion reactions.

The crystalline material of this invention, when employed either as an adsorbent or as a catalyst in an organic compound conversion process should be dehydrated, at least partially. This can be done by heating to a temperature in the range of 200°C to about 370°C in an atmosphere such as air, nitrogen, etc., and at atmospheric, subatmospheric or superatmospheric pressures for between 30 minutes and 48 hours. Dehydration can also be performed at room temperature merely by placing the MCM-68 in a vacuum, but a longer time is required to obtain a sufficient amount of dehydration.

The present crystalline material can be prepared from a reaction mixture containing sources of alkali or alkaline earth metal (M), e. g., sodium and/or potassium, cation, an oxide of trivalent element X, e. g., aluminum and/or boron, an oxide of tetravalent element Y, e. g., silicon, directing agent (Q), and water, said reaction mixture having a composition, in terms of mole ratios of oxides, within the following ranges: Reactants Useful Preferred YOJ X203 at least 5 8-50 H20/Y02 10-1000 15-100 OH/YO2 0.05-2 0.1-0.5 M/YO2 0.05-2 0.1-0.5 Q/YO2 0.01-1 0.05-0.2 The organic directing agent Q used herein is selected from the novel dications N, N, N', N'-tetraalkylbicyclo [2.2.2] oct-7-ene-2,3: 5,6-dipyrrolidinium dication and N, N, N', N'- tetraalkylbicyclo [2.2.2] octane-2,3: 5,6-dipyrrolidinium dication which can be represented by the following formulae: N, N, N', N'-tetraalkylbicyclo [2.2.2] oct-7-ene-2,3: 5,6-dipyrrolidinium

N, N, N', N'-tetraalkylbicyclo [2.2.2] octane-2,3: 5,6-dipyrrolidinium where R,, R2 may be the same or different substituents selected from alkyl groups having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, phenyl and benzyl groups, or Ri and R2 may be linked as a cyclic group having 3 to 6 carbon atoms; and W, X, Y, Z may be the same or different substituents selected from hydrogen, alkyl groups having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, phenyl groups and halogens. In a preferred example, the organic directing agent is the N, N, N', N'- tetraethyl-exo, exo-bicyclo [2.2.2] oct-7-ene-2.3: 5,6-dipyrrolidinium (Bicyclodiquat-Et4) dication, having the formulaC2oH36N2, which may be represented as follows: The source of the organic dication may be any salt which is not detrimental to the formation of the crystalline material of the invention, for example, the halide, e. g., iodide, or hydroxide salt.

The novel organic dications used to synthesize the MCM-68 of the invention can be prepared from, for example, exo, exo-bicyclo 5,6-tetracarboxylic dianhydride, which is a commercially available material. The dianhydride is initially reacted with ammonia or an amine to produce a diimide which is then reduced with LiAIH4 to produce the diamine. The diamine can then be alkylated with an alkyl, phenyl or benzyl

halide to produce the quaternary dication. Similarly, the bicyclooctane diquat can be produced from the dianhydride, which is known in the literature, or can be prepared by hydrogenation of the bicyclooctene dianhydride.

Crystallization of MCM-68 can be carried out at either static or stirred conditions in a suitable reactor vessel, such as for example, polypropylene jars or teflon lined or stainless steel autoclaves, at a temperature of 80° to 250°C for a time sufficient for crystallization to occur at the temperature used, e. g., from 12 hours to 100 days. Thereafter, the crystals are separated from the liquid and recovered.

It should be realized that the reaction mixture components can be supplie by more than one source. The reaction mixture can be prepared either batchwise or continuously.

Crystal size and crystallization time of the new crystalline material will vary with the nature of the reaction mixture employed and the crystallization conditions.

Synthesis of the new crystals may be facilitated by the presence of at least 0.01%, preferably 0.10% and still more preferably 1%, seed crystals (based on total weight) of crystalline product.

The crystals prepared by the instant invention can be shaped into a wide variety of particle sizes. Generally speaking, the particles can be in the form of a powder, a granule, or a molded product, such as an extrudate having particle size sufficient to pass through a 2 mesh (Tyler) screen and be retained on a 400 mesh (Tyler) screen. In cases where the catalyst is molded, such as by extrusion, the crystals can be extruded before drying or partially dried and then extruded.

The crystalline material of this invention can be used to catalyze a wide variety of chemical conversion processes including many of present commercial/industrial importance. Examples of chemical conversion processes which are effectively catalyzed by the crystalline material of this invention, by itself or in combination with one or more other catalytically active substances including other crystalline catalysts, include those requiring a catalyst with acid activity. Specific examples include: (1) alkylation of aromatics with short chain (C2-C6) olefins, eg alkylation of benzene with ethylene or propylene to produce ethylbenzene or cumene respectively, in the gas or liquid phase, with reaction conditions including a temperature of 10° to 250°C, a pressure of 0 to 500 psig, a total WHSV of 0.5 hr1 to 100 hr1, and an aromatic/olefin mole ratio of 0.1 to 50; (2) alkylation of aromatics with long chain (C, 0-C20) olefins, in the gas or liquid phase, with reaction conditions including a temperature of 250° to 500°C, a pressure of 0 to

500 psig, a total WHSV of 0.5 hr1 to 50 hr1, and an aromatic/olefin mole ratio of 1 to 50; (3) transalkylation of aromatics, in gas or liquid phase, e. g., transalkylation of polyethylbenzenes or polyisopropylbenzenes with benzene to produce ethylbenzene or cumene respectively, with reaction conditions including a temperature of 100° to 500°C, a pressure of 1 to 500 psig, and a WHSV of 1 hr1 to 10,000 hr; (4) disproportionation of alkylaromatics, eg disproportionation of toluene to produce xylenes, with reaction conditions induding a temperature of from 200° to 760°C, a pressure of from about atmospheric to 60 atmospheres, a weight hourly space velocity (WHSV) of 0.1 hr-1 to 20 hr1, and a hydrogen/hydrocarbon mole ratio of 0 (no added hydrogen) to 50; (5) dealkylation of alkylaromatics, eg deethylation of ethylbenzene, with reaction conditions induding a temperature of from 200° to 760°C, a pressure of from atmospheric to 60 atmospheres, a weight hourly space velocity (WHSV) of 0.1 hr-1 to 20 hr1, and a hydrogen/hydrocarbon mole ratio of 0 (no added hydrogen) to 50; (6) isomerization of alkylaromatics, such as xylenes, with reaction conditions including a temperature of from 200° to 540°C, a pressure of from 100 to 7000ka, a weight hourly space velocity (WHSV) of 0.1 hr-1 to 50 hr1, and a hydrogen/hydrocarbon mole ratio of 0 (no added hydrogen) to 10; (7) reaction of paraffins with aromatics to form alkylaromatics and light gases with reaction conditions including a temperature of 260° to 375°C, a pressure of 0 to 1000 psig, a WHSV of 0.5 hr1 to 10 hr1, and a hydrogen/hydrocarbon mole ratio of 0 (no added hydrogen) to 10; (8) paraffin isomerization to provide branched paraffins with reaction conditions including a temperature of 200° to 315°C, a pressure of 100 to 1000 psig, a WHSV of 0.5 hr to 10 hr1, and a hydrogen/hydrocarbon mole ratio of 0.5 to 10; (9) alkylation of iso-paraffins, such as isobutane, with olefins, with reaction conditions induding a temperature of-20° to 350°C, a pressure of 0 to 700 psig, a total olefin WHSV of 0.02 hr'to 10 hr-1; (10) dewaxing of paraffinic feeds with reaction conditions including a temperature of from 200° to 450°C, a pressure of 0 to 1000 psig, a WHSV of 0.2 ho1 tu 10 hr1, and a hydrogen/hydrocarbon mole ratio of 0.5 to 10; and (11) cracking of hydrocarbons with reaction conditions including a temperature of 300° to 700°C, a pressure of 0.1 to 30 atmospheres, and a WHSV of 0.1 hr1 to 20 hr-1.

(12) isomerization of olefins with reaction conditions including a temperature of

250° to 750°C, an olefin partial pressure of 30 to 300 kPa, and a WHSV of 0.5 hr1 to 500 hrl.

In the case of many catalysts, it is desired to incorporate the new crystal with another material resistant to the temperatures and other conditions employed in organic conversion processes. Such materials include active and inactive materials and synthetic or naturally occurring zeolites as well as inorganic materials such as days, silica and/or metal oxides such as alumina. The latter may be either naturally occurring or in the form of gelatinous precipitates or gels including mixtures of silica and metal oxides. Use of a material in conjunction with the new crystal, i. e., combined therewith or present during synthesis of the new crystal, which is active, tends to change the conversion and/or selectivity of the catalyst in certain organic conversion processes. Inactive materials suitably serve as diluents to control the amount of conversion in a given process so that products can be obtained economically and orderly without employing other means for controlling the rate of reaction. These materials may be incorporated into naturally occurring clays, e. g., bentonite and kaolin, to improve the crush strength of the catalyst under commercial operating conditions. Said materials, i. e., clays, oxides, etc., function as binders for the catalyst. It is desirable to provide a catalyst having good crush strength because in commercial use it is desirable to prevent the catalyst from breaking down into powder-like materials. These clay and/or oxide binders have been employed normally only for the purpose of improving the crush strength of the catalyst.

Naturally occurring clays which can be composited with the new crystal include the montmorillonite and kaolin family, which families include the subbentonites, and the kaolins commonly known as Dixie, McNamee, Georgia and Florida days or others in which the main mineral constituent is halloysite, kaolinite, dickite, nacrite, or anauxite. Such clays can be used in the raw state as originally mined or initially subjected to calcination, acid treatment or chemical modification. Binders useful for compositing with the present crystal also include inorganic oxides, such as silica, zirconia, titania, magnesia, beryllia, alumina, and mixtures thereof.

In addition to the foregoing materials, the new crystal can be composited with a porous matrix material such as silica-alumina, silica-magnesia, silica-zirconia, silica-thoria, silica-beryllia, silica-titania as well as ternary compositions such as silica-alumina-thoria, silica-alumina-zirconia silica-alumina-magnesia and silica-magnesia-zirconia.

The relative proportions of finely divided crystalline material and inorganic oxide matrix vary widely, with the crystal content ranging from 1 to 90 percent by weight and more

usually, particularly when the composite is prepared in the form of beads, in the range of 2 to 80 weight percent of the composite.

In order to more fully illustrate the nature of the invention and the manner of practicing same, the following examples are presented.

Example 1 Synthesis of N, N'-Diethyl-exo, exo-bicyclo 5,6-tetracarboxylic diimide.

To a 2000-ml 3-necked round-bottomed flask equipped with a magnetic stirring bar, a reflux condenser and a thermometer were attached. The flask was then charged with 70 wt % ethylamine in water (515.25 g, 8 moles) followed by exo, exo-bicyclo [2.2.2] oct-7-ene- 2,3: 5,6-tetracarboxylic dianhydride (99.28 g, 0.4 moles) in portions along with vigorous stirring. After two hours of stirring at room temperature, water (300 ml) was added. The mixture was then stirred at 70°C for 48 hours and then at 100°C for 18 hours to drive off the excess amine. The reaction was then cooled to room temperature and the remaining ethylamine quenched with concentrated HCI in a dropwise fashion. The solid was then filtered under suction, washed with water (400 ml) and dried in a vacuum dessicator over drierite to give 120.90 9 (100%) of diimide as white crystals.

Melting Point: 265-266°C NMR: Solvent = CDCI3 '3C (ô/ppm): 12.846; 33.411; 33.776; 42.763; 130.685; 176.438.

'H (6/ppm): 1.07 (6H, t); 2.97 (4H, s); 3.47 (4H, q4); 3.78 (2H, br. s); 6.10 (2H, t).

Combustion Analysis for C, 6H18N204 % C % H % N Calculated 63.56 6.00 9.27 Found 63.45 6.00 9.21 Example 2 Synthesis of N, N'-Diethyl-exo, exo-bicyclo [2.2.2] oct-7-ene-2,3: 5,6-dipyrrolidine All glassware in this procedure was dried in an oven at 150°C for at least 12 hours. A 2000-ml, 3-necked round-bottomed flask equipped with a magnetic stirring bar, a

thermometer and a graduated pressure equalized addition funnel sealed with a septum cap was comprehensively flushed with N2. To this a soxhlet extractor with a thimble containing N, N'-diethyl-exo, exo-bicyclo [2.2.2] oct-7-ene-2,3: 5,6-tetracarboxylic diimide (33.26 g, 110 mmol) topped with a reflux condenser and an inline gas bubbler was attached. The system was then charged with lithium aluminum hydride powder (12.52 g, 330 mmol) and anhydrous THF (1650 ml) via the addition funnel. After 24 hours of reflux to fully extract and deliver the diimide, the reaction was cooled to 5°C. Then the reaction was quenched with water (12.5 ml), 15% NaOH solution (12.5 ml) and water (37.6 ml) keeping the temperature below 10°C. After warming to room temperature and suction filtration of the solids followed by washing with dichloromethane (660 ml), water (220 ml) was added to the combined filtrates which were then acidified using conc. HCI to pH=1-2. The organic layer was then separated, water (220 ml) added and the pH adjusted to 1-2 with concentrated HCI. This aqueous layer was separated and combined with the previous aqueous fraction, basicified with 50% NaOH solution to pH=11-12 and extracted with dichloromethane (5 x 275 ml). These combined organic fractions were dried over Na2SO4, filtered and evaporated in vacuum to give a yellow/orange oil which may solidify upon cooling (22.56 g.

83%). The oil was extracted with ether (2 x 150 mL), the fractions being filtered, combined, dried over Na2SO4, re-filtered & the solvent evaporated under vacuum to give a gold oil <BR> <BR> <BR> which solidifies upon cooling (20.15 g, 74%).'H and 13 C NMR analysis of the crude yellow solid showed no visible impurities and the diamine was used in this form in the subsequent diiodide preparation. However, an analytical sample of the diamine was obtained by vacuum distillation of the yellow solid (10 mTorr, 106-110°C) to give a clear oil (52% efficiency) which crystrallizes to a white solid on cooling.

Melting Point: 57-58°C NMR: Solvent = CECI3 13C (5/ppm): 13.837; 35.491; 44.210; 49.831; 58.423; 135.294.

'H (ô/ppm): 1.05 (6H, t); 1.85 (4H, t); 2.37 (4H, q4); 2.49 (6H, br. d); 3.04 (4H, t); 6.07 (2H, t).

Combustion Analysis for C, 6H26N2 % C % H % N Calculated 77.99 10.64 11.37 Found 77.82 10.59 11.31

Example 3 Synthesis of N, N, N', N'-Tetraethyl-exo, exo-bicyclo [2.2.2] oct-7-ene-2,3: 5,6-dipyrrolidinium diiodide (Bicyclodiquat-Et4 21) To a 1000-ml 3-necked round-bottomed flask equipped with a magnetic stirring bar, a reflux condenser, a thermometer and a pressure equalized addition funnel containing a solution of iodoethane (67.37 g, 432 mmol) in ethanol (216 ml) were attached. The flask was then charged with N, N'-diethyl-exo, exo-bicyclo [2.2.2] oct-7-ene-2,3: 5,6-dipyrrolidine (35.48 g, 144 mmol) and ethanol (144 ml). After stirring until all the solids had dissolved the iodoethane solution was added slowly and the mixture refluxed ovemight. After subsequent cooling to 10°C, the solids were suction filtered and washed with acetone (144 ml). The resultant off-white solid was then refluxed in acetone (500 ml) for 15 minutes, <BR> <BR> <BR> suction filtered and dried in a vacuum dessicator over drierite to give a tan solid, 70.78 g (88%).

Melting Point: >270°C (decomposition) NMR: Solvent = D20 13C (8/ppm): 10.115; 10.932; 35.721; 42.597; 55.604; 58.370; 67.030; 130.870.

'H (8/ppm): 1.28 (12H, t); 2.85 (8H, br. s); 2.92 (2H, br. s); 3.32 (8H, q6); 3.81 (4H, d); 6.45 (2H, t).

Combustion Analysis for C2oH36N212 % C % H % N Calculated 43.02 6.50 5.02 Found 43.19 6.58 4.85 Example 4 Synthesis of Aluminosilicate MCM-68 7g of Colloidal Silica (30 wt. %), AI (OH) 3 (Aluminum Hydroxide, solid), KOH (Potassium Hydroxide, 20 wt. % sotution), Bicyclodiquat-Et4 21 (N, N, N', N'-Tetraethyl-exo, exo- bicyclo [2.2.2] oct-7-ene-2,3: 5,6-dipyrrolidinium diiodide, solid) and distille water were combined in the following mole ratios:

SUAI2 20 H20/Si 30 OH/Si 0.375 K*/Si 0. 375 Bicyclodiquat-E4 21/Si 0.10 The combined mixture was added to an autoclave and heated to 160°C for 300 hours. The product was then filtered and washed with water and dried ovemight under an IR lamp. The solid was subsequently calcine in air at a temperature of 540°C for 8 hours to yield the new material designated as MCM-68. The powder pattern of the as- synthesized and calcine materials are compiled in Tables 4 and 5. The final product had trace amounts of zeolite Beta (C-56).

TABLE 4 Two-theta d (A) A/Aox100 6.54 13.51 11.4 6.85 12.90 49.1 8.11 10.90 25.0 8.71 10.15 17.2 9.68 9.14 17.6 10.82 8.18 13.2 11.66 7.59 1.4 13.01 6.80 7.0 13.69 6.47 1.3 14.36 6.17 5.2 14.76 6.00 4.9 15.17 5.84 2.8 15.31 5.79 3.9 15.92 5.57 5.4 17.46 5.08 2.1 18.01 4.93 7.4 19.39 4.58 37.6 19.55 4.54 31.1 19.98 4.44 22.6 20.56 4.32 13.1 21.02 4.23 5.9 21.73 4.09 100.0 21.87 4.06 40.0 22.37 3.97 35.1 22.90 3.88 48.5 23.40 3.80 4.0 24.41 3.65 >1.0 25.16 3.54 3.4 25.38 3.51 1.1

TABLE 4 (continued) 25.84 3. 45 5.9 26.20 3. 40 19.0 26.76 3. 33 6.9 27.56 3. 24 26.6 28.08 3. 18 9.9 28.74 3. 11 2.6 28.91 3. 09 4.4 29.23 3. 06 10.9 29.66 3. 01 10.1 30.15 2. 964 9.5 30.57 2. 925 2.9 30.85 2. 898 16.3 31.33 2. 855 4.7 32.09 2. 789 >1.0 32.50 2. 755 1.0 32.87 2. 724 2.7 33.23 2. 696 9.0 33.97 2. 639 3.5 34.30 2. 614 1.5 34.58 2. 594 4.7 34.86 2. 573 1.7 35.32 2. 541 5.0 35.58 2. 523 3.5 36.07 2. 490 2.4 36.75 2. 445 2.2 37.00 2. 430 1.8 38.09 2. 362 1.7 38.33 2. 348 1.6 39.31 2. 292 2.6 39.65 2. 273 2.4 40.78 2. 213 2.4 41.23 2. 189 1.1 41.78 2. 162 4.5 43.62 2. 075 1.9 44.43 2. 039 4.8 45.62 1. 988 2.3 46.42 1. 956 2.4 47.00 1. 933 1.1 47.65 1. 908 5.8 49.68 1. 835 7.7

TABLE 5 Two-theta d (A) A/Aox100 6.50 13. 61 61.7 6.79 13. 01 100.0 8.08 10. 94 51.1 8.73 10. 12 43.9 9.62 9. 19 85.3 10.76 8. 22 33.3 11.08 7. 99 12.7 13.01 6. 81 5.7 13.63 6. 49 17.3 13.98 6. 33 1.9 14.32 6. 19 2.1 14.81 5. 98 7.6 15.87 5. 58 6.3 17.42 5. 09 6.9 17.60 5. 04 3.3 17.96 4. 94 3.5 19.34 4. 59 25.5 19.53 4. 54 25.7 19.94 4. 45 19.3 20.52 4. 33 10.3 20.98 4. 23 6.4 21.65 4. 11 85.0 21.89 4. 06 54.6 22.52 3. 95 49.4 23.05 3. 86 55.5 23.39 3. 80 12.5 24.71 3. 60 2.5 25.12 3. 55 4.1 25.85 3. 45 6.1 26.13 3. 41 21.1 26.45 3. 37 5.1 26.89 3. 32 9.9 27.48 3. 25 32.4 27.67 3. 22 14.5 28.16 3. 17 11.5 28.68 3. 11 5.0 28.89 3. 09 5.7 29.19 3. 06 16.4 29.60 3. 02 7.6 29.88 2. 990 7.4 30.27 2. 953 14.0 30.81 2. 902 15.3

TABLE 5 (continued) Two-theta d (A) A/Aox100 31.38 2.851 10.0 32.07 2.790 1.3 32.45 2.759 >1.0 32.98 2.716 2.6 33.33 2.688 8.2 33.98 2.638 2.9 34.53 2.597 4.8 34.84 2.575 1.7 35.28 2.544 2.0 35.66 2.518 5.1 36.18 2.483 3.8 36.79 2.443 1.8 37.32 2.409 1.0 38.21 2.355 2.3 38.57 2.334 0.9 39.30 2.293 2.1 39.72 2.269 1.7 40.66 2.219 1.0 41.11 2.195 1.5 41.43 2.179 1.8 41.78 2.162 4.5 43.44 2.083 1.0 43.74 2.069 1.9 44.28 2.046 1.4 44.87 2.020 5.2 45.55 1.991 1.6 46.63 1.948 2.0 46.95 1.935 1.0 47.65 1.908 4.8 48.00 1.895 3.3 49.67 1.835 5.3 Example 5 Synthesis of Aluminosilicate MCM-68.

14g of Colloidal Silica Sol (30 wt% of Si02: Aldrich Ludox SM-30), and 22.096g of distille water are mixed with 0.6056g of AI (OH) (Aluminum Hydroxide, solid). To this reaction mixture added 7.354g of KOH (88.8% purity) (Potassium Hydroxide, 20 wt. % solution) and then added 3.912g of Bicyclodiqaut-Et4 21' (N, N, N', N'-Tetraethyl-exo, exo-bicyclo [2.2.2] oct- 7-ene-2,3: 5,6-dipyrrolidinium diiodide, solid). The reaction can be represented by the following mole ratios:

SUAI2 18 H20/Si 30 OH/Si 0.375 K+/Si 0.375 Bicyclodiquat-Et4 21/Si 0.10 The combined mixture was added to an autoclave and heated to 160°C for 300 hours unstirred. The product was then filtered and washed with water and dried overnight under an IR lamp. The solid is subsequently calcine in air at a temperature of 540°C for 8 hours to yield the new material designated as MCM-68. The powder diffraction peaks for the as-synthesized and calcine samples collected using a synchrotron source are shown in Figures 3 and 4.

Example 6 Ammonium exchange and preparation of H-MCM-68 The calcine MCM-68 material from Example 5 was ion exchanged 4 four times with a 1 M ammonium nitrate solution at 80°C then filtered washed and dried under an IR lamp.

Subsequently it was calcine at 540°C in air for 8 hrs. The H-MCM-68 obtained had an alpha value of a 1000.

Example 7 Synthesis of Aluminosilicate MCM-68 7g of Colloidal Silica (30 wt. %), AI (OH) 3 (Aluminum Hydroxide, solid), KOH (Potassium Hydroxide, 20 wt. % solution), Bicyclodiqaut-Et4 21 (N, N, N', N'-Tetraethyl-exo, exo- bicyclo [2.2.2] oct-7-ene-2,3: 5,6-dipyrrolidinium diiodide, solid) and distille water were combined in the following mole ratios: SUAI2 H20/Si 30 OH/Si 0.375 K4'/Si 0.375 Bicyclodiquat-Et4 21/Si 0.10

The combined mixture was added to an autoclave and heated to 160°C for 150 hours. The product was then filtered and washed with water and dried ovemight under an IR lamp.

The solid was subsequently calcine in air at a temperature of 540°C for 8 hours to yield the new material designated as MCM-68. The powder x-ray diffraction the final product had trace amounts of zeolite ZSM-12.

Example 8 Synthesis of Aluminosilicate MCM-68 7g of Colloidal Silica (30 wt. %), AI (OH) 3 (Aluminum Hydroxide, solid), KOH (Potassium Hydroxide, 20 wt. % solution), Bicyclodiqaut-Et4 21 (N, N, N', N'-Tetraethyl-exo, exo- bicyclo 5,6-dipyrrolidinium diiodide, solid) and distille water were combined in the following mole ratios: Si/A12 15 H2O/Si 30 OH/Si 0.375 K+/Si 0.375 Bicyclodiquat-Et4 21/Si 0.10 The combined mixture was added to an autoclave and heated to 160°C for 240 hours. The product was then filtered and washed with water and dried ovemight under an IR lamp.

The solid was subsequently calcine in air at a temperature of 540°C for 8 hours to yield the new material designated as MCM-68. The powder x-ray diffraction the final product had trace amounts of zeolite Beta.

Example 9 Synthesis of Aluminosilicate MCM-68 14g of Colloidal Silica (30 wt. %), AI (OH) (Aluminum Hydroxide, solid), KOH (Potassium Hydroxide, 20 wt. % solution), Bicyclodiqaut-Et4 21 (N, N, N', N'-Tetraethyl-exo, exo- bicyclo [2.2.2] oct-7-ene-2,3: 5,6-dipyrrolidinium diiodide, solid) and distilled water were combined in the following mole ratios:

Si/AI2 18 H2O/Si 30 OH/Si 0.375 K+/Si 0. 375 Bicyclodiquat-Et421/Si 0.10 The combined mixture was added to an autoclave and heated to 170°C for 200 hours at 200 rpm. The product was then filtered and washed with water and dried ovemight under an IR lamp. The solid was subsequently calcine in air at a temperature of 540°C for 8 hours to yield the new material designated as MCM-68.

Example 10 Synthesis of Aluminosilicate MCM-68 with 2 wt. % seeds of as-synthesized MCM-68.

7g of Colloidal Silica (30 wt. %), AI (OH) 3 (Aluminum Hydroxide, solid), KOH (Potassium Hydroxide, 20 wt. % solution), Bicyclodiqaut-Et4 21 (N, N, N', N'-Tetraethyl-exo, exo- bicyclo [2.2.2] oct-7-ene-2,3: 5,6-dipyrrolidinium diiodide, solid) and distille water were combined in the following mole ratios: Si/AI2 18 H2O/Si 30 OH/Si 0.375 K+/Si 0.375 Bicyclodiquat-Et4 21/Si 0.10 To this mixture were added 2 wt. % seed crystals of as-synthesized MCM-68 from Example 5. The combined mixture was added to an autoclave and heated to 160°C for 200 hours.

The product was then filtered and washed with water and dried overnight under an IR lamp.

The solid was subsequently calcine in air at a temperature of 540°C for 8 hours to yield the new material designated as MCM-68.

Example 11 Synthesis of Aluminosilicate MCM-68 with 5 wt. % seeds of as-synthesized MCM-68.

280g of Colloidal Silica (30 wt. %), AI (OH) 3 (Aluminum Hydroxide, solid), KOH (Potassium

Hydroxide, 20 wt. % solution), Bicyclodiqaut-Et4 21 (N, N, N', N'-Tetraethyl-exo, exo- bicyclo [2.2.2] oct-7-ene-2,3: 5,6-dipyrrolidinium diiodide, solid) and distille water were combined in the following mole ratios: SUAI2 18 H20/Si 30 OH/Si 0.375 K+/Si0.375 Bicyclodiquat-Et421/Si 0.10 To this mixture were added 5 wt. % seed crystals of as-synthesized MCM-68 from Example 5. The combined mixture was added to an autoclave and heated to 160°C for 200 hours.

The product was then filtered and washed with water and dried ovemight under an IR lamp.

The solid was subsequently calcine in air at a temperature of 540°C for 8 hours to yield the new material designated as MCM-68.

Example 12 Synthesis of Ti-MCM-68 7g of Colloidal Silica (30 wt. %), AI (OH) 3 (Aluminum Hydroxide, solid), KOH (Potassium Hydroxide, 20 wt. % solution), Bicyclodiqaut-Et4 21 (N, N, N', N'-Tetraethyl-exo, exo- bicyclo [2.2.2] oct-7-ene-2,3: 5,6-dipyrrolidinium diiodide, solid), Ti (OMe) 4 (Titanium Methoxide) and distille water are combined in the following mole ratios: Si/AI2 18 H2O/Si 30 OH/Si 0.375 K+/Si 0.375 Bicyc. odiquat-Et421/Si 0.10 Ti/Si 0.05 The combined mixture is added to an autoclave and heated to 160°C for 200 hours. The product is then filtered and washed with water and dried ovemight under an IR lamp. The solid is subsequently calcine in air at a temperature of 540°C for 8 hours to yield Ti-MCM- 68.

Example 13 Use of MCM-68 in Ethylbenzene Conversion The calcined H-MCM-68 material from Example 6 was used to effect conversion of a 50wt. % ethylbenzene/50wt. % xylene feed at temperatures of 350°C and 400°C, a WHSV of 10, a hydrogen to hydrocarbon mole ratio of 3, atmospheric pressure and the results after 4 hours on stream are summarized in Table 6 below.

Table 6 Temperature, °C 350 400 % yield (feed basis) benzene 6.5 7.5 toluene 9.3 9.4 o-xylene 7.8 8.6 m-xylene 18.9 19.6 p-xylene 8.3 8.8 ethylbenzene 24.6 24.9 MEB 7.1 6.1 DMEB 3.5 3.7 DEB 6.2 4.4 TMB 2.6 2.5 % ethylbenzene conversion 51.3 50.9 % xylene conversion 31.1 27.6 % ethyl loss 14 20.7 % methyl loss 12.3 9.6 % selectivity to xylene 31.9 35 disproportionation MEB/DMEB* 2.3 1.86 *MEB= methylethylbenzene, DMEB = dimethylethylbenzene, DEB= diethylbenzene, TMB = trimethylbenzene The ethylbenzene conversion and ethyl loss results In Table 5 demonstrate that, under the conditions used, MCM-68 is highly active for the acid-catalysed delkylation of ethylbenzene.

Example 14 Use of MCM-68 in liquid phase ethylation of benzene H-MCM-68 crystal, as prepared in Example 6, was pelletized and sized to 14-30 mesh particles. 0.25 gram of the sized catalyst was diluted with sand to 3 cc and charged to an isothermal, down-flow, fixed-bed, 3/8"outside diameter reactor. The catalyst was dried at

125°C and atmospheric pressure with 100 cc/min of flowing nitrogen for 2 hours. The nitrogen supply was tumed off and benzene (chemical grade) was fed into the reactor at 60 cc/hr for 1 hr and then at 6.4 cc/hr while the reactor temperature and pressure were increased to 200°C and 500 psig, respectively. After the desired temperature and pressure were reached, ethylene (Matheson CP grade) was introduced from a mass flow controller at 2 WHSV (4 benzene/ethylene molar ratio) and the temperature was adjusted to 220°C.

After lining out, liquid products were collected in a cold-trap and analyzed off-line with a HP 5890 GC equipped with a DB-1 capillary column. Ethylene conversion was determined by measuring unreacted ethylene relative to feed ethylene. Data for MCM-68 are shown in Table 7 and demonstrate that MCM-68 is highly active and selective for the ethylation of benzene to produce ethylbenzene.

TABLE 7 Catalyst MCM-68 Ethylene WHSV, hic'2. 0 Days on stream 0. 8 Ethylene conversion, % 98.0 ProductDistribution Ethylbenzene 88.393 Diethylbenzene 10. 468 Triethylbenzene 0.595 Tetraethylbenzene 0. 116 Sum of Alkylation Products 99.572 Lights 0.000 Xylenes and styrene 0.000 Cearomatics 0.035 Butylbenzene 0.254 Sec-Butylethylbenzene 0.045 Diphenylethane 0.094 Others 0.000 Sum of By-Products 0.428

Example 15 Use of MCM-68 in polyethylbenzene/benzene transalkylation 0.5 gram of 14-30 mesh H-MCM-68 from Example 6 was diluted with sand to 3 cc and charged to an isothermal, down-flow, fixed-bed, 3/8"outside diameter reactor. After drying the catalyst under nitrogen as described in Example 14, the reactor pressure was increased to 500 psig. A feed containing 75.03 wt. % benzene, 21.74 wt % diethylbenzene, 0.92 wt. % butylbenzene, and 1.02 wt. % triethylbenzene was introduced into the reactor at 60 cclhr for 1 hour and then reduced to 5 WHSV while the reactor temperature was ramped to 220°C at 5°C/min. After lining out, liquid products were collected and analyzed off-line as described in Example 14. Catalyst performance is shown in Table 8 which demonstrates that MCM-68 is an active and selective catalyst for the production of ethylbenzene by the transalkylation of polyethylbenzenes with benzene.

TABLE 8 Catalyst MCM-68 Temperature,°C 220 Days on stream 1.1 Diethylbenzene conversion, % 41.4 Butylbenzene conversion, % 21.8 ProductDistribution Lights 0.797 Toluene 0.041 Ethylbenzene 98.243 Xylenes and styrene 0.000 Cumene 0.025 n-Propylbenzene 0.008 Others 0.888

Example 16 Liquid phase cumene synthesis via benzene propylation One gram 14-30 mesh H-MCM-68 from Example 6 was diluted with sand to 3 cc and charged to an isothermal, down-flow, fixed-bed, 3/8"outside diameter reactor. The catalyst was dried as in Example 14 and benzene (chemical grade) was fed into the reactor at 60 cc/hr for 1 hr and then reduced to 6.4 cc/hr while the reactor pressure was increased to 300 psig. Propylene (Matheson CP grade) was introduced from a syringe pump at 0.5 WHSV (6 benzene/propylene molar ratio). Temperature was adjusted to 130°C and after lining out, liquid products were collected and analyzed as in Example 14. Propylene conversion was determined by measuring unreacted propylene relative to feed propylene. Total material balances were typically 1002%. Data for MCM-68 are shown in Table 9 and demonstrate that MCM-68 is highly selective for the production of cumene by propylation of benzene.

TABLE 9 Catalyst MCM-68 Propylene WHSV, hr-'1. 0 Days on stream 9.8 Propylene conversion, % 99.97 Product Distribution Cumene 90.597 Diisopropylbenzene 5.973 OtherC, 2 Aromatics 0.638 C, 5 Aromatics 1.385 Sum of Alkylation Products 98.593 Propyleneoligomers 1.172 CaAromatics 0.235 n-Propylbenzene 0.000 Others 0.000 Sum of By-Products 1.407

Example 17 Liquid phase cumene synthesis via diisopropylbenzene/benzene transalkylation One gram of 14-30 mesh H-MCM-68 from Example 6 was diluted with sand to 3 cc and charged to an isothermal, down-flow, fixed-bed, 3/8"outside diameter reactor. The catalyst was dried as in Example 14 and the reactor pressure was increased to 300 psig. The feed (75.0 wt. % benzene, 16.7 wt. % m-diisopropylbenzene and 8.3 wt. % p-diisopropylbenzene) was fed into the reactor at 60 cc/hr for 1 hour and then at 4 total WHSV. The reactor temperature was ramped to 180°C at 5°C/min. After lining out, liquid products were collected and analyzed off-line as in Example 14. Catalyst performance is shown in Table 10, which demonstrates that MCM-68 is an active and selective catalyst for the production of cumene by the transalkylation of diisopropylbenzene with benzene.

TABLE 10 Catalyst MCM-68 Temperature,°C 180 Days on stream 4.9 Diisopropylbenzene conversion, % 56.9 Product Distribution Lights 0.048 Toluene 0.015 Ethylbenzene 0.200 Xylenes and styrene 0.000 Cumene 99.583 n-Propylbenzene 0.061 Triisopropylbenzene 0.000 Others 0.094 Example 18 Toluene Disproportionation The general procedure described in Examples 14-17 was followed but the feed used was toluene which had been percolated over activated alumina and the conditions included a

temperature of 806°F, a pressure of 300 psig, a WHSV of 6, and H2/HC (molar) of 1. The results are summarized in Table 11 betow: TABLE 11 Yields (wt. %) Cl 0.3 Benzene 14.4 Ethylbenzene 0.3 Para Xylene 4.5 MetaXylene 9.7 Ortho Xylene 4.3 Total C9+ 7.6 Toluene Conversion (%) 41.0 Total Xylenes Yield 18.4 Para Selectivity 24.2 Benzene/Xylene Molar 1.06 The high TDP activity evident in the above results is consistent with the high alpha activity of the catalyst.

Example 19 Ethylbenzene Conversion and Xylene Isomerization over 0.5% Re/MCM-68 1.5 g of H-MCM-68 produced in Example 6 was steamed at 990°F for 3 hours (in 100% steam) and was then impregnated with 0.5 wt. % Re via incipient wetness impregnation by adding a solution of 0.015 g of perrhenic acid solution in water (50% contained Re by weight) and 0.35 g of addition water, dropwise, to the steamed zeolite. The catalyst was then dried at 120°C for 2 hours and calcine at 350°C for 2 hours in flowing air. The resultant catalyst was loaded with sand as packing material into the reactor used in Examples 14-18 and was then heated to 350°C under nitrogen. Hydrogen was introduced, and the catalyst reduced at 350°C for one hour under flowing hydrogen. Following this, the reaction conditions were adjusted as indicated in Table 12 and a mixed C8 feed was introduced into the reactor. Sample analyses were acquired via on-line GC analyses and the results are summarized in Table 12.

TABLE 12 Temp. (°F) 669 Pressure (psig) 204 WHSV (1/Hr) 10 H2/HC (molar) 2 Yields (wt. %) Feed Product C5-0.1 Benzene 1.4 Toluene 12.6 Ethylbenzene 10.4 4.3 Para Xylene 1.1 15.0 Meta Xylene 63.4 34.3 Ortho Xylene 25.1 14.4 Total C9+ 18.0 Ethylbenzene Conversion (%) 58.9 XyleneLoss 29.0 Toluene + C9+ Make 30.6 Benzene Purity 100.0 Para Approach (PATE) 99.5 Table 12 shows that 0.5% Re on MCM-68 converts ethylbenzene, and that it also isomerizes xylenes to equilibrium. The low temperature required for these reactions is consistent with an extremely active catalyst.