Platinum-alumina reaction mechanisms

As a result of the studies discussed above, a reasonably consistent picture of the kinetics and mechanism of the dehydrocyclization reaction over oxide catalysts has evolved. However, as pointed out earlier in this section, relatively few kinetic data have been reported for dehydrocyclization over platinum-alumina reforming-type catalysts. The data which have been reported include those of Hettinger and co-workers (H7), who studied the dehydrocyclization of re-heptane over platinum catalysts. These investigators found that the rate of dehydrocyclization decreased with increasing total pressure at a constant hydrogen-to-hydrocarbon ratio (Fig. 9). They also reported that the extent of dehydrocyclization was substantially greater for re-nonane than for re-heptane, which is consistent with the results obtained on oxide catalysts. In a later study of the kinetics... 

PEP experiments are performed using either NHs or [ 0]-02 to obtain further insight in the reaction mechanism and deactivation behaviour. Transient ammonia pulse experiments are performed to study the adsorption and dissociation of ammonia on pure platinum catalysts, followed by the focus on the deactivation of platinum. Finally, we will briefly discuss the influence of the alumina support. 

Steps 1 through 9 constitute a model for heterogeneous catalysis in a fixed-bed reactor. There are many variations, particularly for Steps 4 through 6. For example, the Eley-Rideal mechanism described in Problem 10.4 envisions an adsorbed molecule reacting directly with a molecule in the gas phase. Other models contemplate a mixture of surface sites that can have different catalytic activity. For example, the platinum and the alumina used for hydrocarbon reforming may catalyze different reactions. Alternative models lead to rate expressions that differ in the details, but the functional forms for the rate expressions are usually similar. 

More than three decades ago, skeletal rearrangement processes using alkane or cycloalkane reactants were observed on platinum/charcoal catalysts (105) inasmuch as the charcoal support is inert, this can be taken as probably the first demonstration of the activity of metallic platinum as a catalyst for this type of reaction. At about the same time, similar types of catalytic conversions over chromium oxide catalysts were discovered (106, 107). Distinct from these reactions was the use of various types of acidic catalysts (including the well-known silica-alumina) for effecting skeletal reactions via carbonium ion mechanisms, and these led... 

One of the most extensively used addition reactions of cyclobutanes is hydrogenolysis.36 With regard to the mechanistic aspect, evidence has been provided that hydrogenolysis of cyclobutane is structure sensitive to the particle size of the platinum on alumina catalysts.37 Moreover, a kinetic study has also revealed that the mechanism for the hydrogenolysis of cyclobutanes is likely to be different from that for cyclopropanes.37... 

Dual-function catalysts possessing both metallic and acidic sites bring about more complex transformations. Carbocationic cyclization and isomerization as well as reactions characteristic of metals occurring in parallel or in subsequent steps offer new reaction pathways. Alternative reactions may result in the formation of the same products in various multistep pathways. Mechanical mixtures of acidic supports (silica-alumina) and platinum gave results similar to those of platinum supported on acidic alumina.214,215 This indicates that proximity of the active sites is not a requirement for bifunctional catalysis, that is, that the two different functions seem to operate independently. 

These rate differences show that, over platinum on silica-alumina, two cyclization reactions occur simultaneously. One is catalyzed by the platinum metal it is the mechanism observed over platinum on silica. Acid catalyzed self-alkylation is the second reaction. The following steps are involved. 

For post-type DTA s in which thermocouple junctions measure the temperature of the container of the sample (e.g. platinum or poly crystalline alumina crucibles), good mechanical contact between the sample and the bottom of the crucible will improve instrument sensitivity to transformations. Surface contact may be optimized by using samples shaped to match the crucible, or finely crushed granules, as opposed to more spherical or odd-shaped chunks. Optimum mechanical contact minimizes the lag time between when a reaction occurs and when heat propagates to/from the point of temperature measurement, and the reaction is recorded. 

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