Reaction of linear, branched, and cyclic alkanes catalyzed by Brönsted and Lewis acids on H-mordenite, H-beta, and sulfated zirconia

Multi-branched alkanes showed higher reactivity than linear, mono-branched and cyclic alkanes. The highly selective isomerizations are considered to be catalyzed by Lewis acid sites. The bimolecular reaction takes place on Brönsted acid sites. Cyclohexane was converted into methylcyclopentane on both Brönsted and Lewis acid sites with high selectivity.