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Skeletal reactions of hydrocarbons over supported iridium-gold catalysts. [Hydrogenolysis of n-butane, neopentane, and 2,2-dimethylbutane]

Journal Article · · J. Catal.; (United States)
OSTI ID:6356175

The reactions of 20:1 hydrogen/hydrocarbon (n-butane, neopentane, and 2,2-dimethylbutane) over silica-supported 0-86 mole % gold/iridium at < 10% conversion had activation energies of 170 kg/mole for n-butane and 2,2-dimethylbutane and of 242 kj/mole for neopentane, and the activation energies were independent of the gold content. The frequency factor of n-butane and 2,2-dimethylbutane decreased with increasing gold content of the catalyst and the product distributions indicated that the hydrogenolysis reaction was in the C/sub 2/-unit mode hydrogenolysis of neopentane had a frequency factor that was independent of the gold content and the reaction occurred only in the iso-unit mode. The iso-unit mode required a single iridium atom as the active site, and the C/sub 2/-unit mode more than one, probably two, adjacent iridium atoms. The surface mechanisms of the hydrogenolyses and the accompanying isomerization reactions are discussed.

Research Organization:
Univ. of Melbourne
OSTI ID:
6356175
Journal Information:
J. Catal.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Catal.; (United States) Vol. 64:2; ISSN JCTLA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English