ChemInform Abstract: Active Sites and Intermediates for Isomerization and Cracking of Cyclohexane on HY.

Abstract

Abstract Initiation of both isomerization and cracking reactions of cyclohexane on HY at 400°C occurs at Bronsted sites. The absence of molecular hydrogen as a product indicates that protonation of the feed molecule occurs, and the resulting carbonium ion can rearrange through a cracking-realkylation process, or undergo ring cleavage leading to acyclic products. No direct evidence was obtained which would indicate the existence of a chain mechanism proceeding through cyclic carbenium ion intermediates. These observations support a previously proposed mechanism for initiation of cracking of linear paraffins at Bronsted sites.