Influence of the zeolite structure and acidity on the hydroisomerization of n-heptane

Different acid solids loaded with 1 wt.% of Pt have been studied in n-heptane hydroisomerization in order to determine the influence of porosity and acidity (considered measured by the activity) on selectivities. The open solids like Y and beta zeolites and a pillared clay present different activities towards n-C(7) conversion but similar selectivities. Consequently, acidity seems to be a less important parameter in n-C(7) isomerization than porosity. Very different results were obtained as a function of the solid structure and so n-heptane hydroconversion appears to be a simple and rapid method to obtain data concerning the porosity of unknown zeolite structures. The highest content of multibranched isomers was obtained on open solids but the value predicted by the thermodynamic was never reached due to the fact that cracking of multibranched isomers is initiated quickly. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.