Efficient production of linear alkylbenzene by liquid alkylation between benzene and 1-dodecene over MWW zeolites

• Precise control of al species distribution in discrepant t sites can greatly improve the activity of MWW zeolites. • MWW zeolite nanosheets with single-unit-cell thickness exposed more accessible Brønsted acid sites (89%). • MWW zeolites exhibited superior selectivity towards 2-LAB since the strong binding energy and matched steric configuration. • The orderly pillared MWW zeolite nanosheets exhibited extraordinary resistance towards deactivation. Orderly pillared MWW nanosheets combined with a single-unit-cell thickness and optimized Al species distribution are highly effective for the alkylation of benzene with 1-dodecene. The conversion of 1-dodecene and 2-Long chain linear alkylbenzene (2-LAB) selectivity were recorded as high as ca. 85% and ca. 80%, respectively. A detailed systematic study on the MWW nanosheets system revealed that the ultra-thin MWW nanosheets with ordered arrangement had more accessible Brønsted acid sites on the external surface (ca. ∼89%) and special framework Al species on the T 2 sites (ca. ∼13%). Besides, the unique 12-member ring (12-MR) hemicavities in the structure provide strong binding energy as well as a perfect steric configuration for the desired product (i.e. 2-LAB). As a proof-of-concept study, the highly exposed external surface Brønsted acid sites with the intrinsic structural porosity in the pillared MWW nanosheets system exhibited exceptional pore adaptability and unrivaled shape-selectivity, leading to a significantly improved catalytic performance. The orderly pillared MWW zeolite nanosheets with accessibility of acid sites, pore openness and adaptability exhibited extraordinary catalytic performance.