Reaction Routes in Selective Ring Opening of Naphthenes

Abstract

Hydrogenation and ring-opening of low-quality feedstocks rich in aromatic compounds is a very attractive process for the production of clean diesel fuels. The present work explores the detailed reaction paths of decalin (model compound for dinaphthenes) transformation over a bi-functional solid catalyst. The key steps and reaction intermediates in selective ring-opening have been identified and quantified.