Study of the catalytic behaviors of concentrated heteropolyacid solution. I. A novel catalyst for isobutane alkylation with butenes

A novel liquid acid catalyst, composed of heteropolyacid and acetic acid fo r the alkylation of isobutane with butenes is reported. The conditions for the formation of catalytic active phase as well as its catalytic behaviors in alkylation of isobutane with butenes have been studied. It was found tha t acetic acid, as a solvent, exerts a synergistic effect on the acid streng th of heteropolyacid, and the contents of crystal water in HPAs have influe nce over the formation of active phase and the catalytic activity. This nov el catalyst is comparable to the sulfuric acid in catalytic activity.