Hydrogen production in the conversion of 2-methylbutane over a series of acid catalysts

The production of hydrogen from the conversion of 2-methylbutane was studied over a series of acid catalysts in a recirculation reactor system. Conversion of 2-methylbutane over an amorphous silica-alumina catalyst and ZSM-5 zeolite resulted in significant amounts of hydrogen. This supports a carbonium ion mechanism with a penta-coordinated carbonium ion intermediate. The conversion of 2-methylbutane over the USY zeolite and sulfated zirconia did not result in hydrogen being produced thus supporting the bimolecular carbenium ion mechanism. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.