The classification of metal catalysts in hydrogenolysis of hexane isomers

Abstract

The hydrogenolysis of hexane isomers has been studied on various supported metal catalysts (Fe, Co, Ni, Pd, and Pt) in the presence of hydrogen. The previous conclusion that there are two different mechanisms in the hydrogenolysis of saturated hydrocarbons on nickel and platinum catalysts has been found to hold generally on the above metal catalysts. From the product patterns in catalytic hydrogenolysis of hexane isomers, the catalysts could be classified into two groups, one containing Fe, Co, and Ni and the other containing Pd and Pt. This distinct difference cannot be explained by an intensive factor, but must be attributed to some more intrinsic property of these metals, because this contrast between the two groups is generally observed among several metal-catalyzed reactions. The effect of the support on the hydrogenolysis of hexane isomers was also investigated in the case of platinum and nickel catalysts. It was found that the differences observed between nickel and platinum were preserved on all supports used.