A smarter approach to catalysts by design: Combining surface organometallic chemistry on oxide and metal gives selective catalysts for dehydrogenation of 2,3-dimethylbutane

2,3-dimethylbutane is selectively converted into 2,3-dimethylbutenes at 500 degrees C under hydrogen or at 390 degrees C under nitrogen in the presence of bimetallic catalysts Pt-Sn/Li-Al2O3. The high stability of the catalyst along the reaction is obtained by selective modification of the Pt/Li-Al2O3 catalyst using Surface Organometallic Chemistry (SOMC).