Abstract
Isobutene (IB), the most reactive molecule in the C4 raffinate, is a raw material of greatindustrial significance. It is extensively used in the manufacturing process of rubber, fuel additives,fine chemicals, agricultural chemicals, plastics and antioxidants. Heterogeneous catalysts and particularlyzeolites are playing a major role in these applications. The aim of this review is to examinethe relevant processes involving IB as reagent and zeolites as acid catalysts. The following reactionsare successively covered: Prins condensation, IB dimerization, IB—methanol/ethanol etherification,IB—glycerol etherification, IB amination, and phenol tert-butylation. While reasonably comprehensiveand broad, the present survey is not necessarily exhaustive. The mechanistic aspects of the titledreactions, the role of zeolite catalysts and their topology/active sites on the product selectivity aremainly explored.