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Superacidic FSO₃H/HF catalyzed butane isomerization

Chemistry in Superacids. IX. For part VIII see: A. Bagno, J. Bukala and G.A. Olah, J. Org. Chem. 55 (1990) 4248.

Loker Hydrocarbon Research Institute and Department of Chemistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089-1661, U.S.A.

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Omar Farooq

Loker Hydrocarbon Research Institute and Department of Chemistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089-1661, U.S.A.

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Altaf Husain

Loker Hydrocarbon Research Institute and Department of Chemistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089-1661, U.S.A.

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Ni Ding

Loker Hydrocarbon Research Institute and Department of Chemistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089-1661, U.S.A.

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Nirupam J. Trivedi

Loker Hydrocarbon Research Institute and Department of Chemistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089-1661, U.S.A.

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Judith A. Olah

Loker Hydrocarbon Research Institute and Department of Chemistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089-1661, U.S.A.

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https://doi.org/10.1142/9789812791405_0232Cited by:0 (Source: Crossref)

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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