Trimerization of isobutene over solid acid catalysts: Comparison between cation-exchange resin and zeolite catalysts

Catalytic trimerization of isobutene to produce triisobutenes has been performed over cation-exchange resin and zeolite catalysts. Resin catalysts have the advantage of long lifetime and high trimers selectivity even though the regeneration of an aged catalyst is not satisfactory. On the contrary, zeolite catalysts can be regenerated facilely by simple calcination in air even though the lifetime is short and trimers selectivity is low probably due to small pore size and strong acidity, respectively. It is, therefore highly desirable to develop an inorganic acid catalyst with macro- or meso-pores to show catalytic performances similar or superior to those of macroporous resin catalysts.