HYDROGEN-PRODUCTION IN THE CONVERSION OF 2-METHYLBUTANE OVER A SERIESOF ACID CATALYSTS

The production of hydrogen from the conversion of 2-methylbutane was s tudied over a series of acid catalysts in a recirculation reactor syst em. Conversion of 2-methylbutane over an amorphous silica-alumina cata lyst and ZSM-5 zeolite resulted in significant amounts of hydrogen. Th is supports a carbonium ion mechanism with a penta-coordinated carboni um ion intermediate. The conversion of 2-methylbutane over the USY zeo lite and sulfated zirconia did not result in hydrogen being produced t hus supporting the bimolecular carbenium ion mechanism. (C) 1998 Elsev ier Science B.V. All rights reserved.