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6679143 
Journal Article 
SUPERACIDIC FSO3H/HF CATALYZED BUTANE ISOMERIZATION .1 
Olah, GA; Farooq, O; Husain, A; Ni, D; Trivedi, NJ; Olah, JA; , 
1991 
Yes 
Catalysis Letters
ISSN: 1011-372X
EISSN: 1572-879X 
BALTZER SCI PUBL BV 
AMSTERDAM 
10 
3-4 
239-247 
English 
WOS:A1991GE13200012 
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-degrees-C in a flow system gave approximately 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). 
Butane isomerization; superacid catalysis