Chen Jian-min

4.22 Characterization of Solid Superacidity by n-Alkane Isomerization Reactions at Low Temperature

Abstract Butane and pentane reactions on solid acids such as SO 4 2− /M x O y and zeolites were studied. At low temperatures the isomerization selectivities of the reactions reach 90-100%, and the reaction kinetics follow the rate law of a first-order reversible reaction. As the acid strength of the solid acids increases, the conversions and rate constants of the butane and pentane reactions increase as well, but the activation energies of the reactions are diminished. n-Butane isomerization is a good probe reaction for the testing of the superacidity of solids with H 0 H 0 −16.