Recent Advances and Future Aspects in the Selective Isomerization of High n‐Alkanes

Abstract

This article provides an overview of the advances that have been marked during the last decades in the field of hydroconversion of high n‐alkanes (C7 +) with particular stress on the promising ways to meet the requirements for improved quality of motor fuels and oils. Particular attention is given to a catalyst formulation for selective conversion of high n‐alkanes to branched hydrocarbons. The challenge for successfully solving this problem is to find an effective catalyst favoring the isomerization of n‐alkanes without too much cracking. The regulation of active sites and adsorption properties, as well as the topology of support surfaces, allows a more predictive design of novel catalysts for selective conversion of high n‐alkanes into their branched isomers. Keywords: High n‐alkanesWaxy n‐paraffinsIsomerizationHydrocrackingSolid acidsZeolite‐base catalystsZirconia‐based catalystsMolecular sievesShape selectivity Acknowledgments The authors are Grateful to Professor Dr. K. J. Klabunde for helpful discussion.