Bi-functional Mo/ZSM-22 catalysts were designed to upgrade palmitic acid and further to isomerize n-alkanes. Besides the effects on acidity, H + cations might be beneficial for the distribution of MoO x particles, higher surface Mo/Si ratio and more surface Mo 4+ content of bi-functional Mo/ZSM-22 catalyst. In upgrading of palmitic acid, strong acid sites of catalysts were proven to favor hydrodecarbonylation (HDC), isomerization and cracking. Mo 6+ (or MoO 3 ) preferred to support HDC reaction, whereas Mo 4+ (or MoO 2 ) properly improved hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) reaction without carbon atom loss. That is, the Mo 4+ /Mo 6+ ratio of Mo/ZSM-22 catalysts significantly influenced HDO/HDC selectivity. More importantly the improvement in HDO rather HDC with the complete conversion of palmitic acid, could significantly decrease the negative effects of strong acid sites (such as HDC and cracking) to facilitate isomerization of n-alkanes to afford more branched alkanes with higher isoalkanes/n-alkanes.

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