Catalysis Letters, Vol.29, No.1-2, 235-239, 1994
Solid Superacid Catalysis - Kinetics of Butane Isomerization Catalyzed by a Sulfated Oxide Containing Iron, Manganese, and Zirconium
Kinetics of the isomerization of n-butane and of isobutane catalyzed by sulfated zirconium oxide containing 1.5 wt% Fe, 0.5 wt% Mn, and 4.0 wt% sulfate at 60-degrees-C are well represented by a Langmuir-Hinshelwood equation accounting for the reaction equilibrium and for adsorption of both butanes. The adsorption equilibrium constants estimated from the kinetics data are nearly the same for the two butanes. The form of the rate equation and the observation that disproportionation accompanies isomerization suggest that the reaction proceeds via a C-8 intermediate.