In order to lay a foundation for effective regeneration of P W heteropoly acid catalyst supported on SiO 2 aged in the alkylation of isobutane with butene, the molecular structure and physicochemical properties of coke precursor deposited on the surface of solid acid alkylation catalyst are clearly recognized and identified by means of various characterization approaches, including IR, NMR, GC MS and GC. According to the characterization results, the coke precursors are mainly made up of long chain saturated hydrocarbons and small amount of polynucleo aromatics. The coke precursors deposit on the catalysts do not block the pores of the catalysts, but deposited on the acid centres of catalyst. It causes that the acid strength of active centres of the catalyst descends, and selectivity for alkylation becomes worse. It is found that the species of coke precursor consist of C 13 ～C 21 paraffin. The results obtained in the project are different entirely from that other researchers gained before. It will be of benefit to investigate and find out new regeneration methods of solid acid alkylation catalyst.
