%0 Journal Article %T n-Alkane hydroconversion over carbided molybdena supported on sulfated zirconia %A A. Galadima %A R. P. K. Wells %A J. A. Anderson %J Applied Petrochemical Research %@ 2190-5533 %D 2012 %I %R 10.1007/s13203-011-0004-0 %X A carbided molybdena on sulfated zirconia support has been prepared by in situ exposure to a methane/hydrogen mixture at 650 ¡ãC and the characteristics established using N2 adsorption and X-ray diffraction. The activity of the catalyst in the hydroconversion of C6 to C9 n-alkanes was investigated in the temperature range 350¨C450 ¡ãC at 1 atm pressure. Activity and selectivity were found to show strong dependence on the choice of n-alkane with reaction rates found to be higher for the shorter alkanes. n-Hexane and n-heptane were hydroisomerised to the corresponding C6 and C7 isomers with high selectivity while the higher alkanes, especially nonane, produced mainly hydrocracking products. The catalyst offers a potential system for the upgrading of light naphtha range paraffins. %K n-Alkanes %K Chain length %K Hydroisomerisation %K Hydrocracking %K ¦Â-Mo2C/SO4 2 ¨CZrO2 %U http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13203-011-0004-0