Hydrogenolysis of hexane on supported rhodium catalysts

Hexane was reacted in mixtures with excess hydrogen on 5% Rh on different supports: Al₂O₃ and SiO₂, the latter catalyst in two states: after reduction at 603 K (LT) and after a prereduction at 1253 K (HT). The main reaction was hydrogenolysis. The catalysts were characterized with the fragment composition at different temperatures and hydrogen pressures. Two surface states could be distinguished: one with more hydrogen favored single rupture, the other with less hydrogen preferred multiple fragmentation. The transition between these states could be rather abrupt, as the surface hydrogen availability changed. The tendency to produce multiple fragments increased in the order Rh/Al₂O₃< Rh/SiO₂-LT < Rh/SiO₂-HT.