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Hydrocarbon reactions on supported iridium catalysts. [2,2-dimethylbutane, 2,3-dimethylbutane, methylcylopentane]

Journal Article · · J. Catal.; (United States)
OSTI ID:6197818

In a study related to the development of platinum-iridium reforming catalysts, the reactions of ethane, n-butane, isobutane, neopentane, 2,2-dimethylbutane, 2,3-dimethylbutane, and methylcyclopentane with hydrogen were studied on six silica- or alumina-supported iridium catalysts prepared by different methods and containing different iridium crystallite sizes. Two types of reactions were observed: the ''C/sub 2/-unit mode'', which included the rupture of primary-primary, primary-secondary, and secondary-secondary carbon bonds, e.g., of ethane, had an activation energy of approx. 175 kj/mole, and had a frequency factor of approx. 10/sup 17/ molecules/sec per iridium site which was independent of crystallite size; and the ''iso-unit mode'', which included the rupture of primary-quaternary, primary-tertiary, and secondary-tertiary carbon bonds, had an activation energy of approx. 235 kj/mole, and had a frequency factor of approx. 10/sup 21/ molecules/sec per iridium site which was independent of crystallite size. Some isomerization of isopentane and n-butane was observed. The reaction mechanisms were discussed and compared with alkane hydrogenolysis mechanisms on platinum.

Research Organization:
Univ. of Melbourne
OSTI ID:
6197818
Journal Information:
J. Catal.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Catal.; (United States) Vol. 59:3; ISSN JCTLA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English