Isomerization of Lighter Alkanes by Heteropoly Acids: A Review

Abstract

Isomerization is the reaction used to enhance the octane number of gasoline and thereby helps in increasing the life of the automobile engines. Although a number of methods are known, researchers are still struggling for a low cost catalytic material in order to replace the previous expensive ones. Heteropoly acid has come out as one of the promising alternatives to meet the requirements and is considered to be a bi-functional catalyst performing dehrdrogenation and isomerization followed by hydrogenation through its special structural features.

Keywords: Isomerization, heteropoly acid, phosphotungstic acid, alkane