Dimerization of iso-butene on sodium exchanged Amberlyst-15 resins

This work reports a new technical approach for the production of aviation gasoline through the catalytic dimerization of iso-butene on sodium exchanged Amberlyst-15 resins (20–40 mesh) in the absence of selectivity-enhancing components at T = 50 °C, P = 2 MPa and LHSV of 2 h⁻¹. The dimers selectivity could be significantly improved by effectively controlling the acid capacity of resins via Na⁺ exchange. When the acid capacity of the catalyst was controlled to <2.45 mmol/g, the 2,4,4-trimethylpentenecontent in C8 olefins reached ~100%. It was also confirmed that the sodium exchanged resins have longer lifetime than Amberlyst-15 resins.