Al2O3 alkene isomerization process and catalyst

摘要

Gamma alumina having a sodium content of less than 0.01 weight percent sodium calculated as Na2O and said alumina modified with silicon were found to be superior catalysts for the isomerization of alkenes having at least four carbon atoms, preferably with 0.01 to 1 mole of water per mole of alkene present during the isomerization. Both skeletal isomerization (e.g. n-butene to isobutene) and position isomerization (e.g. butene-2 to butene-1) are obtained.