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Abstract

Process for the isomerization of xylene feedstock employing an aluminum-deficient mordenite catalyst. The xylene feedstock is passed into a reaction zone and in contact with a mordenite catalyst having a silica/alumina mole ratio of at least 30. The xylene feedstock may comprise a substantially pure meta-xylene, a mixture of xylene isomers, or in the preferred embodiment, a mixture of xylene isomers and ethylbenzene in which para-xylene is present in less than an equilibrium amount, and ethylbenzene present in an amount greater than the para-xylene content. The reaction zone is operated at a temperature within the range of 350.degree.-600.degree. C. and a hydrogen pressure within the range of 200-1000 psig to effect isomerization of xylene isomers to provide an increased para-xylene content and disproportionation of ethylbenzene to provide a reduced ethylbenzene content in the product.

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