The mechanism typically involves the formation of a carbocation intermediate. This can occur via two primary pathways:
1. Protonation: The alkane is protonated by the acidic catalyst, forming a carbocation which rearranges to form the branched isomer. 2. Hydride Shift: In the presence of metal catalysts, the alkane undergoes dehydrogenation to form an alkene, which then isomerizes and re-hydrogenates to form the branched isomer.
