Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference:	GR/L13520/01
Title:	EXPLORATION OF NOVEL ROUTES FOR THE FUNCTIONALISATION OF N-BUTANE
Principal Investigator:	Derouane, Professor E
Other Investigators:	Hutchings, Professor G
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:	BP Johnson Matthey
Department:	Chemistry
Organisation:	University of Liverpool
Scheme:	Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts:	01 March 1997	Ends:	30 April 2000	Value (£):	142,591
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:	Catalysis & Applied Catalysis
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:	No relevance to Underpinning Sectors
Related Grants:
Panel History:
Summary on Grant Application Form
The proposed research will investigate novel or improved catalytic pathways for the upgrading of n-butane, which will have an impact to both the petroleum and chemical industries. Butanes are currently widely available and represent and inexpensive building block for the synthesis of higher value chemicals. The research will explore the dehydroisomerisation of n-butane to i-butane and the dimerisation of n-butane to highly branched C8 alkanes. Acidic catalysts will be selected for study for high surface area oxides and molecular sieves (Si/Al and Al, P containing). A combined approach will be developed comprising molecular modelling and assisted catalyst design, in situ characterisation of the catalysts and reaction mechanisms using NMR, FTIR, XRD and mass spectrometry together with standard microreactor studies.
Key Findings
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Further Information:
Organisation Website:	http://www.liv.ac.uk