Enhancement of dehydrogenation and hydride transfer by La³⁺ cations in zeolites during acid catalyzed alkane reactions

La³⁺ cations exchanged into ultrastable zeolite Y and zeolite X promote catalytic isomerization, cracking, and alkylation of alkanes. La ³⁺ cations stabilize the zeolite lattices and, more importantly, polarize alkane C-H bonds to enhance the rates of all three reactions. This unique activity leads to stable cracking and isomerization of reactive alkanes, with polarizable C-H bonds with adjacent tertiary or quaternary carbon atoms below 370 K. The presence of La³⁺ cations also enhances the zeolite catalyzed hydride transfer rate for isobutane alkylation with 2-butene leading to high catalyst stability. Solid state MAS NMR shows that the strongest positive effects are associated with nonhydroxylated La³⁺ cations accessible to the reacting molecules in supercages of the zeolite. The high activity is the result of a cooperative polarization of C-H bonds of alkanes by La³⁺ cations and the presence of stable and strong Brønsted acid sites.