Cyclohexane transformations over metal oxide catalysts. 2. Selective cyclohexane ring opening to form n-hexane over mono- and bimetallic rhodium catalysts

The activity of monometallic Rh and Pt catalysts and bimetallic Pt—Rh catalysts on oxide supports in cyclohexane ring opening to form n-hexane was studied. The Rh-containing catalysts are highly active and selective in this reaction. Cyclohexane dehydrogenation predominates in the case of the Pt catalysts. The use of the bimetallic alumina-supported Pt—Rh catalysts allows one to minimize the contribution of cyclohexane cracking and to enhance the selectivity for n-hexane with the yield of the latter slightly depending on the metal ratio in the bimetallic system under the experimental conditions.