Selective n-butane isomerization over high specific surface area MoO3-carbon-modified catalyst

Reaction of MoO3 with a hydrogen and n-butane mixture at low temperature allows the formation of a high specific surface area MoO3-carbon-modified catalyst, which is active and very selective for n-butane isomerization. The reaction is performed via a methyl shift mechanism probably involving a metallacyclobutane intermediate; among the products some homologation molecules are found to confirm this mechanism.