Homologation of small alkanes on Pt, Pd and Ni catalysts. Contribution of intermediate carbenes to skeletal isomerisation

Abstract

Chain lengthening homologation of propane,n-butane,2-methylpropane,2-methylbutane and 2,2-dimethylpropane has been investigated over Pt, Pd and Ni catalysts. With both Pd and Ni the chain lengthening selectivity was observed to be commensurable to the isomerisation one. Addition of CHx onto the β-carbon atom in n-butane and propane as well as chain lengthening of 2-methylpropane and 2-methylbutane were observed. The mechanism of the skeletal rearrangement is discussed in terms of CHx addition.