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Aged H-ferrierite (H-FER) samples with different contents of deposits were prepared and studied under differential catalytic conditions in a tapered element oscillating microbalance. Subsequently, these samples were examined using infrared spectroscopy to determine the nature of carbonaceous deposits and probing the type and number of accessible sites with d3-acetonitrile. From these results, for the first time, we have been able to calculate turnover frequencies (TOFs) for n-butene conversion and isobutene formation for both fresh and aged H-FER catalysts. It is observed that the deposition of carbonaceous species significantly lowers the number of accessible Brønsted sites. With short time on stream (TOS), cracking of the alkyl-aromatic deposits contributes to the overall isobutene production but simultaneously harms the selective catalytic action by inducing nonselective side reactions. With prolonged TOS these deposits become nonreactive and as a result the TOF drops, while isobutene is produced with high selectivity. It is demonstrated that at this stage no carbenium ions are detected, while Brønsted OH acid sites are still accessible for d3-acetonitrile on the extensively aged and highly selective H-FER. This indicates that the latter sites are responsible for the selective catalytic conversion of n-butene into isobutene. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Ring-opening reactions of decalin and methylcyclohexane (MCH) over bifunctional catalysts (1.2Ir/WO3/Al2O3) were investigated. A series of catalysts containing up to 5.3at. W/nm2 and 1.2wt.% Ir was prepared. The acidity of the solids was monitored by low-temperature CO adsorption followed by infrared spectroscopy. Characterization of the Ir metal phase was performed by H2 chemisorption and X-ray diffraction. The activity and product selectivity patterns obtained for the decalin ring-opening reaction were compared with those observed for MCH. For both naphthenes, ring contraction precedes ring opening, suggesting a similar ring-opening mechanism. Kinetic modeling based on the proposed reaction network allowed the determination of the activation energies and initial rates. Based on the yields and products distribution obtained for the decalin reaction, the potential for improvement of the cetane number is discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Ring-opening reactions of decalin and MCH were studied over monofunctional acid (WO3/Al2O3) and metal (Ir/Al2O3) catalysts containing, respectively, up to 5.3 at. W/nm2 and 1.8wt% Ir. The catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, low-temperature CO adsorption followed by infrared spectroscopy, and H2 chemisorption. A reaction network was proposed for both molecules and used to determine the kinetic parameters. Kinetic modeling allowed relating characterization results and catalytic performance. For WO3/Al2O3 catalysts, ring contraction precedes ring opening of both molecules. The evolution of ring contraction activity was consistent with the development of relatively strong Brønsted acid sites. Ring opening occurs according to a classic acid mechanism. For Ir/Al2O3 catalysts, only direct ring opening was observed. Ring opening proceeds mostly via dicarbene mechanism. Analysis of products indicated that monofunctional metal catalysts are better suited than acid solids for upgrading LCO. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]