Reaction Mechanism for Direct Cyclization of Linear C5, C6, and C7 Alkenes over H-ITQ-13 Zeolite Investigated Using Density Functional Theory

Although dienes or trienes have been shown to be possible precursors for cyclization, direct cyclization of alkenes or alkoxides has not been systematically studied yet. Thus, the reaction mechanism of cyclization of linear alkenes over H-ITQ-13 was investigated here by density functional theory considering dispersive interactions (DFT-D). The similar free energy of different linear alkoxides of the same carbon number suggests that they can co-exist in the H-ITQ-13 intersection at 673.15K during the methanol to olefins (MTO) process. The formation of linear alkenes by olefins methylation with methoxyl groups (ZOCH(3)), trimethyloxonium ions (TMO+), and methanol are kinetically more favorable than by dimerization of olefins. Linear alkoxides or alkenes prefer direct cyclization to cycloalkanes rather than hydride transfer to diene. This study provides new insight into the alkene cyclization and aromatization mechanisms in MTO process.