Isomerization of n-hexane over Platinum loaded zeolite catalysts

The isomerization of n-hexane over Pt-loaded H beta, H-ZSM-5 and H-dealuminated mordenite was studied at temperatures lower than 573 K under atmospheric pressure. It was found that Pt loaded H beta showed the highest activity and selectivity of these three catalysts. Namely, the conversion of hexane was 76 C-% and selectivities to dimethylbutanes, methylpentanes and cracking products were 19.4, 76.2 and 4.4 C-%, respectively, under the following conditions: reaction temperature, 548 K; W/F, 5 g h mol(-1); molar ratio of hydrogen to n-hexane, 4. Pt/H beta catalyst showed a good stability, because H beta has acid sites with medium strength and three-dimensional large pores. We can adjust the balance between metallic sites and acid sites to obtain right catalyst which has the highest activity and the highest selectivity for the isomerization of hexane.