Ring closure, bifunctional catalysts

Aromatization, however, may also be envisaged as taking place via stepwise dehydrogenation of an unbranched hydrocarbon molecule followed by ring closure of the polyunsaturated intermediates. In fact, the formation of dienes was proved during the aromatization of C6 and C7 alkanes to the corresponding aromatics over monofunctional metal oxides and metal black, and bifunctional catalysts.307 308 Radiotracer studies even allowed the detection in very low concentration of hexatriene during the aromatization of n-hexane over Pt black.309 It was also proposed that aromatics are formed from the cis isomers, whereas trans isomers may be coke precursors.213 Direct experimental evidence has recently been... 

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