Isomerization of cyclic hydrocarbons mediated by an AlCl3-based ionic liquid as catalyst

Cyclohexane and methylcyclopentane isomerization were carried out under mild conditions using an ionic liquid consisting of n-butylpyridinium chloride and aluminum chloride as catalyst. The ionic liquid showed reasonably high catalytic activity in both reactions with a selectivity to corresponding products of 100%. In the case of cyclohexane isomerization, the thermodynamic equilibrium methylcyclopentane ⇌cyclohexane was almost achieved. For the reaction of cyclohexane isomerization, the kinetic study was performed, and the rate constants and the activation energy of the process were determined. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.