HYDROGEN PRETREATMENT EFFECTS ON THE HYDROGENOLYSIS OF METHYLCYCLOPENTANE ON PT/SIO2 AND PT/AL2O3 CATALYSTS

The effect of different hydrogen pretreatments on the catalytic performance of supported platinum was investigated in the hydrogenolysis of methylcyclopentane on catalysts of different dispersions. These catalysts were prepared either by sintering of conventional supported catalysts or by HV-deposition of platinum onto amorphous films of silica or alumina (model catalysts). A hydrogen pretreatment at 400°C resulted in a lower activity and in a selectivity shift to less n-hexane formation compared to results with hydrogen pretreatment at 275°C. The effect of high temperature pretreatment was most pronounced with evaporated model catalysts.