ALKYLATION OF ISOBUTANE WITH BUTENES OVER SOLID ACID CATALYSTS

New types of solid acid catalysts H3PO3-BF3-H2SO4 supported on SiO2 an d ZrO2 were prepared. They showed high activity, selectivity and stabi lity for the alkylation of isobutane with butenes. The nature of the a ctive sites on the new catalysts was discussed on the basis of the cha racterizations by IR spectroscopy, thermal analysis and the measuremen t of acidic properties. The inductive effect of BF3 enhances the stren gth of the acid sites on the catalysts, and the presence of H2SO4 caus es a remarkable increase in the number of strong acid sites.