Abstract: A process for producing alkylate comprising contacting a first hydrocarbon stream comprising at least one olefin having from 2 to 6 carbon atoms which contains 1-butene with an isomerization catalyst under conditions favoring the isomerization of 1-butene to 2-butene so the isomerized stream contains a greater concentration of 2-butene than the first hydrocarbon stream and contacting the isomerized stream and a second hydrocarbon stream comprising at least one isoparaffin having from 4 to 6 carbon atoms with an acidic ionic liquid catalyst under alkylation conditions to produce an alkylate stream, wherein the alkylate stream has a RON that is increased from 5 to 32 numbers compared to a comparison alkylate stream made from the first hydrocarbon stream without the step of contacting with the isomerization catalyst.