Iso-cetane (2,2,4,4,6,8,8-heptamethylnonane, C16H34) is a highly branched alkane reference compound for determining cetane ratings. It is also a candidate branched alkane representative in Surrogate mixtures for diesel and jet fuels. Here new experiments and kinetic modeling results are presented for the autoignition of iso-cetane at elevated temperatures and pressures relevant to combustion in internal combustion engines. Ignition delay time measurements were made in reflected shock experiments in a heated shock tube for Phi = 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 iso-cetane/air Mixtures at temperatures ranging from 879 to 1347 K and pressures from 8 to 47 atm. Ignition delay times were measured using electronically excited OH emission, monitored through the shock tube end wall, and piezoelectric pressure transducer measurements, made at side wall locations. A new kinetic mechanism for the description of the oxidation of iso-cetane is presented that is developed based on a previous mechanism for iso-octane. Computed results from the mechanism are found in good agreement with the experimental measurements. To our knowledge, the ignition time measurements for iso-cetane presented here are the first of their kind. (C) 2009 The Combustion Institute, Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.