On the active species of aluminium(III) bromide–copper(II) bromide mixtures as catalysts for the isomerization of pentane

Abstract

Mixtures of AlBr₃ and CuSO₄ have high catalytic activity and selectivity for the isomerization of pentane at room temperature. The isomerization obeys the first-order kinetics with respect to pentane and proceeds both in the liquid phase and on the surface of copper(II) sulphate. The complex formed from the two substances seems responsible for the catalytic activity.