Study of selectivity of MoO3-catalyzed C6-C7 hydrocarbons hydroisomerization: Mechanistic insights into the formation of carbonaceous deposits on the catalyst surface

► Hydroisomerization and hydrocracking proceed by consecutive and parallel reactions. ► 2-Methylhexane is the only compound that produces iC4 during hydrocracking. ► In hydrocracking each C4, C3 or C2 molecule is formed from one reactant molecule. ► Olefinic products of hydrocracking contribute to carbonaceous deposits formation. ► Carbonaceous deposits formation decreased in the next order: nC7 > 2MC6 > 3MC6 > 2,3DMC5.