Ethane conversion in the presence of iron- and manganese-promoted sulfated zirconium dioxide: evidence of autocatalysis and oligocondensation chemistry

Abstract

Ethane reacts in the presence of Fe- and Mn-promoted sulfated ZrO2 to form butane, ethene, methane and H2 at temperatures 473 K; the data indicate autocatalysis with carbocation intermediates as in superacid solution chemistry.