Alkene Isomerization Using a Solid Acid as Activator and Support for a Homogeneous Catalyst

An overview is given of an experiment that, in addition to introducing students to catalysis using an air sensitive transition-metal complex, introduces the use of a solid acid as an activator and support for the catalyst. The experiment is based on the Ni[P(OEt)3]4-H2SO4 alkene isomerization catalyst system reported in the literature.