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

The triethylamine chlorine-aluminate ionic liquids (Et
₃
NHCl-AlCl
₃
) with varying the AlCl
₃
molar fraction (x(AlCl
₃
)) 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 Et
₃
NHCl-AlCl
₃
under the mild reaction conditions. In the presence of ionic liquid Et
₃
NHCl-AlCl
₃
(x(AlCl
₃
)=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.