Catalysts and process for the production of benzyl toluenes

A method for the synthesis of benzyl toluenes from toluene and using molecular bromine as catalytic operator is reported here. The process can be carried out in one of two ways:  the first method involves the simultaneous bromination/alkylation of toluene, followed by recycling of the liberated HBr to an oxidation reactor to form molecular bromine; the second method involves the formation of benzyl bromide in a separate step with in situ bromine recycling, followed by alkylation of toluene. HBr liberated during the alkylation step is recovered and recycled in the bromination reactor. Solid catalysts that maximize side-chain bromination over ring bromination, whilst at the same time catalysing the Friedel−Crafts condensation of toluene with benzyl bromide, are key to the success of the process.