| abstract |
A catalyst composition and a process for hydrodealkylating a C9+ aromatic compound such as, for example, 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene to a C6 to C8 aromatic hydrocarbon such as a xylene are disclosed. The composition comprises an alumina, a metal oxide, a phosphorus oxide and optionally, an acid site modifier selected from the group consisting of silicon oxides, sulfur oxides, boron oxides, magnesium oxides, tin oxides, titanium oxides, zirconium oxides, molybdenum oxides, germanium oxides, indium oxides, lanthanum oxides, cesium oxides, and combinations of any two or more thereof. The process comprises contacting a fluid which comprises a C9+ aromatic compound with the catalyst composition under a condition sufficient to effect the conversion of a C9+ aromatic compound to a C6 to C8 aromatic hydrocarbon. |