ISOMERIZATION OF ALKANES OVER A PALLADIUM SALT OF HETEROPOLYACID

Abstract
Palladium dodecatungstophosphate (Pd3(PW12O40)2) supported on silica is an active and selective catalyst for the isomerization of pentane and hexane in the presence of hydrogen. Thus, hexane could be isomerized in a flow system under atmospheric pressure over 90% selectivity at 483 K. The reaction proceeds in a dual-dunctional mechanism; palladium metal formed by the reduction of palladium(II), and protons, act as a hydrogenation-dehydrogenation catalyst and an olefin-isomerization catalyst, respectively.