Isomerization of n-Decane Catalyzed by Triethylamine Chlorine-Aluminate Ionic Liquids

The triethylamine chlorine-aluminate ionic liquids (Et₃NHCl-AlCl₃) with varying the AlCl₃ molar fraction (x(AlCl₃)) were prepared. The influences of the ionic liquids´ acidic strength and reaction conditions on the isomerization of n-decane were investigated. The results show that the isomerization of n-decane could be carried out with high selectivity of i-paraffin by adjusting the acidic strength and dosage of the ionic liquids Et₃NHCl-AlCl₃ under the mild reaction conditions. In the presence of ionic liquid Et₃NHCl-AlCl₃ (x(AlCl₃)=0.67), the conversion of n-decane, the selectivity of i-decane and the selectivity of i-paraffin were up to 35.6%, 17.0% and 96.1%, respectively, under the optimal reaction conditions.