The reactions of n-pentane on S-2O-8~2 /ZrO-2(PSZ) solid superacid catalysts promoted by tungsten carbides were studied for the first time, and the factors affecting the activity of the catalysts (WC/PSZ) were investigated as well . By means of GC-MS, XRD, BET etc.,the products of the reactions and the characteristics of WC/PSZ catalyst were explored. The results show that the skeletal isomerization and cracking of ra-pentane proceed simultaneously on the tungsten carbides promoted S-2O-8~2 /ZrO-2 catalysts. Comparing to S-2O-8~2 /ZrO-2, the catalysts promoted by a proper quantity of tungsten carbides had much greater activity and selectivity for n-pentane isomerization, and the results are similar to that of the PSZ catalyst promoted by platinum. The proper temperatures of calcination, activation and reaction are key to the sound effects

Key words: TUNGSTEN CARBIDE, SUPERACID, CATALYST, PENTANE, CATALYTIC ACTIVITY, ISOMERIZATION, PYROLYSIS, CHROMATOGRAPHY-MASS SPECTROMETRY, XRD