Isomerization of cycloheptane, cyclooctane, and cyclodecane catalyzed by sulfated zirconia—comparison with open-chain alkanes

Abstract

The skeletal isomerization of cycloalkanes with the number of carbons greater than six, cycloheptane, cyclooctane, cyclodecane, and cyclododecane, was performed over sulfated zirconia in liquid phase at 50 °C. A main product of methylcyclohexane was formed from cycloheptane via a protonated cyclopropane intermediate, protonated [4.1.0]bicycloheptane, together with small amounts of trans-1,2-dimethylcyclopentane, cis- and trans-1,3-dimethylcyclopentanes, 1,1-dimethylcyclopentane, and ethylcyclopentane. A major product from cyclooctane was ethylcyclohexane via a protonated cyclobutane intermediate, protonated [4.2.0]bicyclooctane, followed by cis-1,3-dimethylcyclohexane in addition to small amounts of trans-1,2-, -1,3-, -1,4-dimethylcyclohexanes, 1,1-dimethylcyclohexane, and methylcycloheptane. The detailed reaction-paths for cycloheptane and cyclooctane were shown after additional examinations in reactions of methylcyclohexane, ethylcyclopentane, ethylcyclohexane, and 1,2-dimethylcyclohexane. Cyclodecane was dehydrogenated into cis- or trans-decaline with the evolution of a dihydrogen. Cyclododecane was converted into lots of products, more than 30 species.