Acylation of Toluene with Acetic Anhydride Using Different Ferrites

The vapor phase acylation of toluene with acetic anhydride in a fixed bed reactor was carried out using different ferrites. The activity of these ferrites was dependent on the molar ratio, weight hour space velocity (WHSV) and temperature. The activity of the catalysts different with the acidity of the ferrite systems tested. The yield and selectivity of pera-methyl acetophenone (p-MAP) found to be 85.9% and 98.4% respectively .The acidic and basic properties are influenced by the Ni²⁺/Co²⁺/Cr²⁺ ionic distribution in the spinel lattice. The acidity of ferrite system plays an important role in catalytic activity.