Isomerization of Heptanes over a Palladium–Zeolite Catalyst

Abstract The isomerization of heptane isomers, heptane, 2- and 3-methylhexane, 3-ethylpentane, and 2,3- and 2,4-dimethylpentane, was investigated kinetically over a palladium-zeolite catalyst in the presence of hydrogen at 280–350 °C. First-order rate constants of 11 reaction paths were given with their activation energies and pre-exponential factors. The reaction scheme network including 22 isomerization steps among 9 isomers was constructed through the detailed analysis of primary and secondary reaction products from the individual isomers. Finally, the several proposed isomerization mechanisms were examined on the basis of the present experimental results.