Catalytic Properties of the Thermal Decomposition Products of Zr(SO4)2 · 4H2O

The catalytic activity of the thermal decomposition products of Zr(SO₄)₂ · 4H₂O in the reactions of 1-butene isomerization to 2-butenes, isobutanol dehydration, and n-butane skeletal isomerization was studied. Their behaviors in typical acid reactions and in skeletal isomerization were found to be considerably different. In the first two reactions, which occur with the participation of proton sites, the activity of zirconium sulfates was an extremal function of hydrate calcination temperature. Zirconium sulfate calcined at 400–550°C was the most active catalyst. The reasons for such behavior are discussed. In the skeletal isomerization of n-butane, crystalline zirconium sulfate was practically inactive, and it became active only after degradation. The results suggest that the activation of n-butane molecules did not occur at proton sites.