The Isomerization of Hexane Isomers over Pt-Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>-Cl Catalyst

Abstract

The isomerization of hexane isomers over Pt-Al2O3-Cl catalyst was studied at low conversion levels and temperatures ranging from 266 to 359°C, under the hydrogen atmospheric pressure. Uuder the specified conditions, the catalyst showed no loss in activity and the highly selective isomerization with small amounts of dehydrogenation to alkenes and hydrocracking to lower molecular weight hydrocarbons.The initial reaction products of the isomerization were 2, 3-dimethylbutane from 2, 2-dimethylbutane, 2, 2-dimethylbutane and 2-methylpentane from 2, 3-dimethylbutane, 2, 3-dimethylbutane, 3-methylpentane and n-hexane from 2-methylpentane, 2-methylpentane and n-hexane from 3-methylpentane, 2- and 3-methylpentane from n-hexane. The formation of these initial products can be explained in terms of the mechanism postulating carbonium ion intermediate. The product distributions of the isomerization and hydrocracking were also consistent with what was expected from the stability of the carbonium ion intermediate.