Effect of adamantane-containing additives on the isomerization of n-heptane in the ionic liquid trimethylammonium hydrochloride-aluminum chloride

Abstract

We study the effect of adamantane-containing additives on the process of isomerization of n-heptane in the ionic liquid trimethylammonium hydrochloride-aluminum chloride (1 : 2 mol). It is shown that introducing 1-cyanomethyl-3-cyanoadamantane (5.0 wt %) into the reaction mixture slows conversion and lowers the yield of iso-products by a factor of more than 1.5, while adding adamantylpolyimide (0.5–5.0 wt %) substantially accelerates the isomerization of n-heptane and increases the yield of iso-products. In addition, this reaction proceeds under mild conditions at 40°C in the absence of hydrogen and precious metals.