Abstract
A series of mordenites with different degree of dealumination were obtained by the acidic treatment and their catalytic properties in DME (dimethyl ether) carbonylation reaction were investigated. As a result, mild acid treated mordenite with low concentration can remove the extra-framework Al species only and open the side pocket, therefore increasing the amount of strong acid sites in it. Due to the increased accessibility of acid sites in the side pocket, the dealuminated mordenite showed a high catalytic activity in DME carbonylation reaction. Increasing the degree of dealumination of mordenite can preferentially destroy the framework Al atoms in side pocket. Therefore, the mordenite with severe dealumination exhibited a low activity in DME carbonylation reaction for reduced acid sites in the side pocket. Mild dealumination of mordenite can increase the catalytic activity in DME carbonylation reaction by 40% as compared to the parent mordenite in this work.