Supported Sulfated Zirconia Catalysts for Isomerization of n-hexane

Sulfated zirconia catalysts supported on SiO2 and Al2O3 were prepared and studied. Phase composition of the catalysts, acidic properties in CO adsorption, and textural characteristics were assessed. Activity of the catalysts in isomerization of n-hexane was measured. Alumina was shown to be a promising support for the synthesis of such catalysts. A new step of additional sulfation after platinum deposition was proposed for the synthesis of alumina-supported catalysts. It was found that strong Lewis acid sites with CO absorption bands at 2210 and 2224 cm-1 are formed in the catalysts. The yield of the sum of hexane isomers for the alumina-supported catalysts reached 80 wt.%.