Coke precursor as an intermediate during the alkylation of isobutane/butene over a solid superacid

Alkylation of isobutane/butene was conducted on a Brønsted-Lewis conjugated solid superacid. It is found that some hydrocarbons accumulated on the catalyst surface. These hydrocarbons, as called coke precursor, played an intermediate role at the initial stage of the alkylation before they lead the catalyst to lose its activity. The presence of the intermediate is beneficial to the alkylation between isobutane and butene, while increase the TMP content and TMP/DMH ratio in the products