Transformations of the individual xylenes in presence of a nickel-alumina catalyst and of hydrogen under pressure

1. An investigation was made into the catalytic transformations of m-, p-, and o-xylenes at temperatures ranging from 300° to 460° and hydrogen pressures of 25 and 50 atm in presence of nickel-alumina catalysts containing 10%, 20%, and 30% of nickel. 2. The main reaction in the transformations of the isomeric xylenes at 460° is the hydrogenolysis of methyl groups with the formation of toluene and benzene. 3. At 300° and 400° demethylation is accompanied by hydrogenation of the benzene ring with formation of dimethylcyclohexanes, methylcyclohexane, and cyclohexane.