Silica-supported Rhodium Catalysts Research Articles

The hydroisomerization of n-butenes : I. The reaction of 1-butene over alumina- and silica-supported rhodium catalysts

The reaction of 1-butene with hydrogen has been studied using alumina- and silica-supported rhodium catalysts in the temperature range −20 ° to 80 °C. The kinetics and apparent activation energies for hydrogenation and isomerization are reported. The initial (cis/trans) ratio in 2-butene is greater than the thermodynamic equilibrium value; this ratio decreases as the temperature is increased. The support appears to have little effect. Possible mechanisms for hydrogenation and isomerization are discussed. Isomerization is thought to proceed via a 1-methyl-π-allyl intermediate and the implications of this postulate are discussed.