Effect of the nature and concentration of the zeolite Y cation on the hydrogenation and isomerization of 2-methyl-2-butene

1.	Up to a certain point (55%), decationization of NaY zeolites reduces the activity of the zeolites in catalyzing the hydrogenation of 2-methyl-2-butene. Further decationization had no effect on the yield of saturated hydrocarbons.
2.	Plotted as a function of the cation's electrostatic potential, the activity of MNaY zeolites in catalyzing the hydrogenation of 2-methyl-2-butene passes through a maximum. Minimum activity was observed with the NdNaY zeolite.
3.	Experiments in an atmosphere of helium showed that saturated hydrocarbons, resulting from hydrogen redistribution, are frequently formed in the course of reactions on decationized and polyvalent cationic forms of the Y zeolite.