The selectivity of n-hexane hydroconversion on MOR-, MAZ-, and FAU-type zeolites

Analyses of a series of published n-hexane hydroisomerization product slates suggest that MAZ-type zeolites yield more dimethylbutane and less methylpentane than either FAU- or MOR-type zeolites. Molecular simulations do not corroborate the traditional view that these selectivity differences are specifically related to the MAZ-, FAU-, or MOR- type zeolite topology. A scrutiny of the literature indicates that reported variation in selectivity relates to a variation in the efficiency of the (de)hydrogenation function relative to the acid function. The FAU-type zeolite catalyst had the most efficient hydrogenation function. The efficiency of the hydrogenation function on the MAZ-type zeolite was low enough to significantly enhance the 2,3-dimethylbutane yield relative to the methylpentane yield, but not low enough to decrease the 2,2-dimethylbutane yield. The efficiency of the hydrogenation function on the MOR-type zeolite was low enough to do both. Only at a sufficiently high n-hexane hydroconversion does the catalyst with the most efficient hydrogenation function exhibit the highest dimethylbutane yield. This new perspective on the reported hexane hydroconversion selectivities suggests that a FAU-type zeolite catalyst with a highly efficient hydrogenation function is best suited for n-hexane hydroisomerization. The FAU topology has the highest porosity which should afford the highest activity without impairing selectivity.