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Isomerization of pentane with AlCl/sub 3//CuSO/sub 4/ mixtures

Journal Article · · J. Catal.; (United States)
OSTI ID:6321116

Isomerization of pentane with AlCl/sub 3//CuSO/sub 4/ mixtures in batch operation at 5/sup 0/-23/sup 0/C was zero order in n-pentene, had an activation energy of 94 kj/mole, and yielded isopentane as the main product and increasing amounts of 2,2-dimethylbutane, 2,3-dimethylbutane, and other hexanes with increasing reaction time. The n-pentane conversion rate depended on the surface area of the cupric sulfate which had a maximum at 350/sup 0/C dehydration temperature. Catalysts containing an aluminum chloride/cupric sulfate ratio of < 1:5 were inactive, but the activity increased suddenly with increasing aluminum chloride contents of the catalysts. Addition of water to the system inhibited the cupric sulfate activity if the water/cupric sulfate molar ratio was > 1:1. The addition of water to aluminum chloride/n-pentane slightly activated the otherwise inactive aluminum chloride. The acid strength of the aluminum chloride/cupric sulfate mixture was -14.52 to -13.75 H/sub o/, compared with -13.75 to -13.16 H/sub o/ for the pure aluminum chloride and no strong acid sites on the sulfate. Under similar conditions, the conversion of hexane yielded 2-methylpentane, isopentane, and isobutane as main products, and the catalyst deactivated after approx. 10 mole of hexane/mole catalyst were converted.

Research Organization:
Tokyo Inst. Technol.
OSTI ID:
6321116
Journal Information:
J. Catal.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Catal.; (United States) Vol. 64:1; ISSN JCTLA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English