The effect of alloying Pt with Re on the intermediates in hydrocarbon reactions: Reactions of 2,2-dimethylbutane

Abstract

A series of PtRe catalysts has been prepared and studied for reactions of 2,2-dimethylbutane (neohexane). The results, obtained at temperatures of 500-580 K, have been compared with those obtained with two commercial catalysts. The results show that rhenium is (at least partially) reduced and forms bimetallic clusters with Pt. At Re bulk concentrations less than 50% Re, catalysts behave like slightly modified Pt catalysts. On Pt-rich catalysts, isomerization is (or can be caused to be) important, while the Re-rich catalysts resemble Re. On Re, hydrogenolysis prevails and the extent of multiple (consecutive) reactions increases substantially. Multiple reactions are also enhanced when the Pt particle size of Pt catalysts is diminished. The two commercial catalysts fit quite well into the pattern obtained, indicating that also in commercial catalysts bimetallic Clusters are formed. © 1989.