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Abstract

Process for the disproportionation of toluene employing an aluminum deficient mordenite catalyst. A toluene containing feedstock is supplied to a reaction zone containing a mordenite catalyst having a silica/alumina mole ratio of at least 30. The toluene WHSV is more than one. A hydrogen cofeed is supplied at a hydrogen/toluene mole ratio of 3-6, and the reaction zone is operated at a temperature within the range of 370.degree.-500.degree. C. and a hydrogen pressure of at least 500 psig. The toluene feedstock can have a moisture content in excess of 25 ppm and typically will have a water content ranging from about 50 ppm up to about the saturation point, about 250 ppm. A start-up procedure employs passing a hot preflush gas over the catalyst to dehydrate water from the catalyst prior to passing the toluene feedstock to the catalyst.

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