Role of Iridium in n‐Pentane Isomerization, Cyclohexane Ring Opening, and Cumene Cracking Over Ir/Pt‐HZSM5

Abstract

Producing aromatic compounds sustainably from renewable sources is essential to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. This study aims to elucidate the multifunctional behavior of Ir on Pt‐HZSM5, and their influence on the catalytic activity of n‐pentane isomerization, cyclohexane ring opening, and cumene cracking. The results showed that Ir created another active and Lewis's acid site, which increased the acid sites (H+), thus enhancing the catalytic performance of Pt‐HZSM5. Moreover, Ir inhibited the atomic hydrogen bonding interaction and hence improved the main reaction and suppressed the side reaction. Therefore, the mechanism of the main reaction over Ir/Pt‐HZSM5 can be described as the following steps: (i) Interaction of reactant with H+; (ii) Reaction of carbenium ion intermediate; and (iii) Interaction of a carbenium ion intermediate with H−, followed by desorption. This study provides a comprehensive understanding of the intricate catalytic pathways, offering insights into the design of efficient multifunctional catalysts for various petrochemical applications.