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Superacidic FSO3H/HF catalyzed butane isomerization [1]

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Abstract

Superacid catalyzed isomerization of butane was studied. Highly efficient isomerization of butane to 2-methylpropane (isobutane) was achieved using fluorosulfuric acid containing up to 5% of hydrogen fluoride acting as a protic co-acid. The isomerization when carried out in excess FSO3H at 21 ° C in a flow system gave ∼70% conversion to 2-methylpropane with generally less than 3% cracking. When 2-methylpropane was isomerized under similar conditions about 12% butane was formed. Attempted isomerization of pentane and hexane with prolonged reaction times in a static system results in predominant protolytic cleavage (cracking).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Contribution from the Loker Hydrocarbon Research Institute and Department of Chemistry, University of Southern California, 90089-1661, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    George A. Olah, Omar Farooq, Altaf Husain, Ni Ding, Nirupam J. Trivedi & Judith A. Olah

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  1. George A. Olah
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  2. Omar Farooq
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  3. Altaf Husain
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  4. Ni Ding
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  5. Nirupam J. Trivedi
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  6. Judith A. Olah
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Olah, G.A., Farooq, O., Husain, A. et al. Superacidic FSO3H/HF catalyzed butane isomerization [1]. Catal Lett 10, 239–247 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00772077

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00772077

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