The reactions of linear alkanes on SO~4^2-/ZrO~2 solid superacid catalysts were studied. The skeletal isomerization and cracking of linear alkanes proceed simultansously on SO~4^2-/ZrO~2 catalysts. Experimental results suggest that the longer the alkyl chain, the higher the activity and the less the isomerization selectivity. The catalytic performance of SO~4^2-/ZrO~2 sample is very low. Small amount of water in the sample is necessary for high activity, but excess water will poison the catalyst. Correlating the reaction date with thermogravimetric and IR spectroscopic results, it can be proposed that for the n-pentane at lower reaction temperature the reactions with longer alkyl chains and at higher reaction temperature the lewis acid sites on the catalyst surface display some reactivities.

Key words: INFRARED SPECTROPHOTOMETRY, CATALYST, SULFURIC ACID, PYROLYSIS, ZIRCONIUM OXIDE, NORMAL PARAFFIN, ISOMERIZATION, THERMOGRAVIMETRY