Isomerization

Name:
Isomerization
Detailed information:
A method used in petroleum refining to convert straight-chain to branched-chain hydrocarbons, or alicyclic to aromatic hydrocarbons, to increase their suitability for high-octane motor fuels. For example, butane (a gaseous paraffin hydrocarbon, CH₃CH₂CH₂CH₃) can be slightly modified in structure by catalytic reactions to give the isomeric isobutane (CH₃CH₃CHCH₃) used as a component of aviation fuel. Similarly, methylcyclopentane can be isomerized to cyclohexane, which is then dehydrogenated to benzene. Isomerization techniques were introduced on a large scale during World War II.See Isomer; Chain.