Methods of producing isomerization catalysts

A method of producing 1-butene from a 2-butene-containing feedstock, the method comprising:

• contacting the 2-butene-containing feedstock with an isomerization catalyst to produce an isomerization reaction effluent comprising 1-butene, the isomerization catalyst prepared by a method comprising:
• preparing a catalyst precursor solution comprising at least a magnesium precursor, a hydrolyzing agent, and cetrimonium bromide;
• hydrothermally treating the catalyst precursor solution to produce a magnesium oxide precipitant;
• calcining the magnesium oxide precipitant to produce an isomerization catalyst precursor;
• soaking the isomerization catalyst precursor in an acid solution comprising sulfuric acid to produce a isomerization catalyst precursor precipitant;
• and
• calcining the isomerization catalyst precursor precipitant to produce the isomerization catalyst.