Trimerization of isobutene over zeolite catalysts: Remarkable performance over a ferrierite zeolite

Oligomerization of isobutene has been investigated using several zeolites in order to produce triisobutenes that are useful chemical feedstocks for heavy alkylates and neo-acids. Stable isobutene conversion and high selectivity for trimers are obtained over a ferrierite zeolite at high temperature and low space velocity. Trimers selectivity increases with increasing isobutene conversion. Isobutene is quantitatively oligomerized over a ferrierite catalyst with selectivity for trimers higher than 60% up to 50 h at high isobutene WHSV of 10 h−1. Moreover, a deactivated catalyst can be regenerated easily by calcining in flowing air. The ferrierite zeolite is one of the potential catalysts for the isobutene trimerization showing high stability, quantitative conversion, high selectivity and easy regeneration.