The Reaction Between HSO 3 F and n-Alkanes

Abstract
N-Alkanes are oxidized by HSO3F: carbenium ions are generated by the cleavage of carbon -hydrogen bonds with the concomitant reduction of the acid into SO2(+HF and + H2SO4).These carbenium ions are responsible for isomerisation, cracking and oligomerieation of n-alkanes if the carbon skeleton contains more than 3 C atoms. Disproportionation of C5-C6 carbocations occurs with n-pentane and n-hexane leading to cracking and polymerisation. With heavier paraffins only cracking is observed due to β-scission. Alkylation followed by β-scission explains the isomerization of n-butane.