Process for isomerization of tetrahydrodicyclopentadiene using supported acidic ionic liquid as a catalyst

A process for isomerization of tetrahydrodicyclopentadiene using a supported acidic ionic liquid as catalyst, comprising the following steps:

• (a) contacting endo-tetrahydrodicyclopentadiene with the supported acidic ionic liquid comprising a porous support impregnated with an acidic ionic liquid including at least one aluminum halide and at least one compound selected from the group consisting of quaternary ammonium halide and quaternary phosphonium halide, wherein a molar ratio of the endo-tetrahydrodicyclopentadiene to the acidic ionic liquid is in the range of from 100:1 to 1:10, and the contacting temperature is in the range of from 40° C. to 70° C.
• (b) continuing the contacting until at least a portion of the endo-tetrahydrodicyclopentadiene is isomerized to exo-tetrahydrodicyclopentadiene;
• and
• (c) recovering the exo-tetrahydrodicyclopentadiene.