A method to generate dense, multi-cyclic diamondoid fuels from bio-derived sesquiterpenes. This process can be conducted with both heterogeneous and homogenous catalysts and produces the targeted isomers in high yield. The resulting multi-cyclic structures impart significantly higher densities and volumetric net heats of combustion while maintaining low viscosities which allow for use at low temperature/high altitude. Moreover, bio-derived sesquiterpenes can be produced from renewable biomass sources. Use of these fuels will decrease Navy dependence on fossil fuels and will also reduce net carbon emissions.

A method for producing adamantane includes the steps of preparing a catalytic composition including an acidic ionic liquid and a co-catalyst and subjecting a tetrahydrodicyclopentadiene-containing component to isomerization in the presence of the catalytic composition to form adamantane. The acidic ionic liquid includes aluminum chloride and a quaternary onium compound selected from the group consisting of a quaternary ammonium halide, a quaternary phosphonium halide, and a combination thereof. The co-catalyst is an oxygen-containing reagent.

A method for producing adamantane includes the steps of preparing a catalytic composition including an acidic ionic liquid and a co-catalyst and subjecting a tetrahydrodicyclopentadiene-containing component to isomerization in the presence of the catalytic composition to form adamantane. The acidic ionic liquid includes aluminum chloride and a quaternary onium compound selected from the group consisting of a quaternary ammonium halide, a quaternary phosphonium halide, and a combination thereof. The co-catalyst is an oxygen-containing reagent.

A method for producing adamantane includes the steps of preparing a catalytic composition including an acidic ionic liquid and a co-catalyst and subjecting a tetrahydrodicyclopentadiene-containing component to isomerization in the presence of the catalytic composition to form adamantane. The acidic ionic liquid includes aluminum chloride and a quaternary onium compound selected from the group consisting of a quaternary ammonium halide, a quaternary phosphonium halide, and a combination thereof. The co-catalyst is an oxygen-containing reagent.

The present invention relates to a process for preparing cyclohexane from methylcyclopentane (MCP) and benzene. In the context of the present invention, MCP and benzene are constituents of a hydrocarbon mixture (HM1) additionally comprising dimethylpentanes (DMP), possibly cyclohexane and possibly at least one compound (low boiler) selected from acyclic C.sub.5-C.sub.6-alkanes and cyclopentane. First of all, benzene is converted in a hydrogenation step to cyclohexane (that present in the hydrocarbon mixture (HM2)), while MCP is isomerized in the presence of a catalyst, preferably of an acidic ionic liquid, to cyclohexane. After the hydrogenation but prior to the isomerization the dimethylpentanes (DMP) are removed, with initial removal of the cyclohexane present in the hydrocarbon mixture (HM2) together with DMP. This cyclohexane already present prior to the isomerization can be separated again from DMP in a downstream rectification step and isolated and/or recycled into the process for cyclohexane preparation. Between the DMP removal and MCP isomerizationif low boilers are present in the hydrocarbon mixture (HM1)low boilers are, optionally removed. After the isomerization, the cyclohexane is isolated, optionally with return of unisomerized MCP and optionally of low boilers. Preferably, cyclohexane and/or low boilers are present in the hydrocarbon mixture (HM1), and so a low boiler removal is preferably conducted between the DMP removal from isomerization. It is additionally preferable that the removal of the cyclohexane from DMP is additionally conducted, meaning that the cyclohexane component which arises in the benzene hydrogenation and may be present in the starting mixture (HM1) is isolated and hence recovered.

The present invention relates to a process for preparing cyclohexane from methylcyclopentane (MCP) and benzene. In the context of the present invention, MCP and benzene are constituents of a hydrocarbon mixture (HM1) additionally comprising dimethylpentanes (DMP), possibly cyclohexane and possibly at least one compound (low boiler) selected from acyclic C.sub.5-C.sub.6-alkanes and cyclopentane. First of all, benzene is converted in a hydrogenation step to cyclohexane (that present in the hydrocarbon mixture (HM2)), while MCP is isomerized in the presence of a catalyst, preferably of an acidic ionic liquid, to cyclohexane. After the hydrogenation but prior to the isomerization the dimethylpentanes (DMP) are removed, with initial removal of the cyclohexane present in the hydrocarbon mixture (HM2) together with DMP. This cyclohexane already present prior to the isomerization can be separated again from DMP in a downstream rectification step and isolated and/or recycled into the process for cyclohexane preparation. Between the DMP removal and MCP isomerizationif low boilers are present in the hydrocarbon mixture (HM1)low boilers are, optionally removed. After the isomerization, the cyclohexane is isolated, optionally with return of unisomerized MCP and optionally of low boilers. Preferably, cyclohexane and/or low boilers are present in the hydrocarbon mixture (HM1), and so a low boiler removal is preferably conducted between the DMP removal from isomerization. It is additionally preferable that the removal of the cyclohexane from DMP is additionally conducted, meaning that the cyclohexane component which arises in the benzene hydrogenation and may be present in the starting mixture (HM1) is isolated and hence recovered.

A method to generate dense, multi-cyclic diamondoid fuels from bio-derived sesquiterpenes. This process can be conducted with both heterogeneous and homogenous catalysts and produces the targeted isomers in high yield. The resulting multi-cyclic structures impart significantly higher densities and volumetric net heats of combustion while maintaining low viscosities which allow for use at low temperature/high altitude. Moreover, bio-derived sesquiterpenes can be produced from renewable biomass sources. Use of these fuels will decrease Navy dependence on fossil fuels and will also reduce net carbon emissions.

A method to generate dense, multi-cyclic diamondoid fuels from bio-derived sesquiterpenes. This process can be conducted with both heterogeneous and homogenous catalysts and produces the targeted isomers in high yield. The resulting multi-cyclic structures impart significantly higher densities and volumetric net heats of combustion while maintaining low viscosities which allow for use at low temperature/high altitude. Moreover, bio-derived sesquiterpenes can be produced from renewable biomass sources. Use of these fuels will decrease Navy dependence on fossil fuels and will also reduce net carbon emissions.

A continuous process for producing adamantane includes the steps of: 1) providing a liquid feed stream comprising endo-tetrahydrodicyclopentadiene; and 2) passing the liquid feed stream through a first reaction zone filled with a hydrogenation protective agent and a second reaction zone filled with an isomerization catalyst sequentially to carry out hydroisomerization reaction and obtain adamantane.

A continuous process for producing adamantane includes the steps of: 1) providing a liquid feed stream comprising endo-tetrahydrodicyclopentadiene; and 2) passing the liquid feed stream through a first reaction zone filled with a hydrogenation protective agent and a second reaction zone filled with an isomerization catalyst sequentially to carry out hydroisomerization reaction and obtain adamantane.