Polymers Solutions: #8

8.* (1994 F 11H) A method of choice for making iso-octane from isobutylene and isobutane is to react the latter in the presence of an acidic catalyst such as concentrated sulfuric (H₂SO₄) or hydrofluoric (HF) acid. This catalyzed process is typically carried out at 0⁰C - 10⁰C. Explain how this catalyst affects the value of the equilibrium constant for this reaction.

The catalyst (as all catalysts) does NOT affect the value of the equilibrium constant; it only affects the kinetics of the process, not the thermodynamics.