Stable and catalytic activity of platinum-modified sulfated zirconia in n-hexane isomerization reactions

Abstract

A procedure to prepare Pt-promoted sulfated zirconia (SZ) catalysts which results in highly active and stahle catalyst for n-hexane isomerization at atmospheric conditions. High temperature calcination of SZ prior ro Pt addition leads to elimination of loosely-bound sulfur species from the zirconia surface. It is proposed that regenerative oxidation cycles lead to a restructuring of the acid and metal shes which facilitates hydrogen migration and helps to arrest deactivation. We propose a mechanism involving Lewis sites and hydride species.