Isobutane/2-butene alkylation catalyzed by chloroaluminate ionic liquids in the presence of aromatic additives

The effect of adding aromatic compounds and varying the AlCl 3 molar fraction on the catalytic performance of chloroaluminate ionic liquids in isobutane/2-butene alkylation was investigated. 27Al NMR results and comparison with alkylation catalyzed by solid AlCl 3 reveal that the activity of the ionic liquids presumably comes from traces of AlCl 3 or Al 2Cl 6. The addition of benzene increases the selectivity of C 8 as well as the TMP:DMH ratio in the alkylate. The performance of the modified catalyst is optimized at high isobutane to 2-butene ratios and low temperatures. The used catalyst can be regenerated by replenishment of the aromatic additives.