The dimensionless equilibrium constant, apparent heats of adsorption, intraparticle diffusivities, and activation energies are determined under high vacuum conditions for 2,2,4-trimethylpentane and 2,5-dimethylhexane. These are representative of the products formed in the alkylation process of isobutane butene mixtures on solid acid catalysts such as beta and USY zeolites. It is observed that in the straight and zigzag channels of beta zeolites, dimethyl-branched C-8 isoalkane is strongly adsorbed and diffuses at a slower rate in comparison to trimethyl-branched C-8 isoalkane. In contrast, in the super cages of USY zeolites, both C-8 isoalkanes demonstrate similar sorption and transport properties. On the basis of this understanding, it is concluded that the ideal solid acid catalyst for alkylation processes requires super cages of USY zeolite rather than zigzag channels of beta-zeolites in order to increase product selectivity, decrease catalyst deactivation, and decrease the energy requirement for regeneration.