Many solids acids like metal oxides13,14, clays15,16
and zeolites17-22 have been tested for their ability to
alkylate benzene with detergent range olefins under
different experimental conditions. Luong and coworkers
recently reported the production of LABs
using methanesulphonic acid as catalyst23. Biju et al.24
performed the liquid state alkylation of benzene with
1-octene and 1-dodecene using zirconia-supported on
12-tungstophosphoric acid as a solid acid catalyst.
Many of these have shown activities comparable to
those of liquid acids mentioned above. Although,
many of these are active, the lack of selectivity for
LAB’s and stability in process time are serious
problems10-12. A successful solid acid catalyst
demands activity, selectivity, reusability and stability
towards coking so as to be economical compared to
HF.