The isomerization of n-octane to isooctane is important in upgrading the octane number of gasoline. Generally, you run the reaction in three steps. First you dehydrogenate the n- octane to octene over a platinum catalyst, then you isomerize on an acid catalyst, before you rehydrogenate over platinum. (a) Predict a feasible mechanism for each step. (b) What side products do you expect? (c) Why is isooctane important? Use the material in this chapter to prodict why isooctane is better able to prevent hnock than n-octane.