• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2013

The transformation of alkylaromatic hydrocarbons using zeolite catalysts play big part in the current petrochemical industry. Here we review recent advances in the understanding of the reaction mechanisms of various alkylaromatic conversions with respect to the structural and physicochemical properties of zeolite catalysts employed. Indeed, the shape-selective nature of zeolite catalysts determines the type of reaction intermediates and hence the prevailing reaction mechanism together with the product distribution. The prospect of zeolite catalysis in the developement of more efficient petrochemical processes is also described.