Transport and reactivity of hydrocarbon molecules in a shape-selective zeolite

Abstract

For the catalytic cracking of C6 to C9 hydrocarbons on ZSM-5, we demonstrate quantitatively the contributions of each of two mechanisms for molecular shape selectivity. Using crystallites of different sizes and activities, and classical methods for evaluating diffusion inhibition of the reaction rate, we separate the effects of mass-transport-induced selectivity from that created by steric inhibition by the size of a reaction complex. The selective cracking of n-paraffins compared to monomethyl paraffins (from C6 to C9) is due to a higher intrinsic rate constant of the n-paraffin, with diffusional mass transport playing no appreciable role. In contrast, dimethyl paraffin cracking is strongly diffusion-inhibited. The methyl paraffin/n-paraffin discrimination is a result of steric constraint on the sizeable methyl paraffin/carbonium ion reaction complex. This structural selectivity is shown to be absent for the corresponding olefins where such complexes do not arise. The diffusivities at reaction conditions have been determined. For the linear hydrocarbon, diffusivity notably exceeds that expected from the Knudsen model. This reminds us to review assumptions of conventional concepts of mass transport. The availability of zeolites now allows us to probe many basic phenomena in catalysis, molecular configuration and dynamics, including mass transport.