Effect of butadiene in catalytic trimerization of isobutene using commercial C₄ feeds

Catalytic oligomerization of isobutene to produce triisobutenes has been performed over a cation-exchange resin (Amberlyst-35) by using commercial C ₄ feeds. The catalytic activity in the oligomerization was retained without deactivation up to 90 h of reaction in a simulated reaction feed without butadiene, but its activity was significantly affected by the presence of butadiene in commercial C₄ feeds. The isobutene conversion with time-on-stream was significantly decreased in the presence of butadiene, indicating the catalyst deactivation by butadiene. However, the stable activity for trimerization was accomplished when the oligomerization was carried out after eliminating butadiene by hydrogenation of the feeds. This work demonstrates that butadiene plays a role as a catalyst poison on the solid acid catalyst, so that its removal in the reactant feed is essential for practical application of trimerization.